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Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Viral count and being detected with HCV. What does it really mean ?
Post Info TOPIC: Viral count and being detected with HCV. What does it really mean ?
Cinnamon Girl


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Viral count and being detected with HCV. What does it really mean ?
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Hi Dragon Slayer, I can understand your confusion so I`ll try and explain some of this in simple terms.

First of all, yes, your doctor is correct in saying that the viral load fluctuates continually and so isn`t too important. 

The aim of any hep c treatment is to reduce the viral load to less than a detectable amount by the end of tx and beyond.  As you go through your tx you`ll have viral load tests (PCR`s) to check that the tx is working and that your viral load is going down. 

The figure of `15` you`ve seen refers to a viral load laboratory test (HCV RNA PCR test) which has a `lower limit of quantification` of 15 i.u./ml.  If a viral load result says `< 15 i.u./ml Undetected` then it means that the test cannot detect any amount of virus less than it`s lower limit of 15, so that equates to an `Undetected` result.  Which is a good thing and what we all want! 

If you are still `Undected` at 24 weeks after your tx has ended then that means that the tx has been successful and you have achieved `SVR`...`sustained virologic response`.  Increasingly, doctors are accepting a 12 weeks post tx `Undetected` result tx as SVR. 

Hope I`ve explained that clearly enough, and hope it helps!



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Hep-C Dragon Slayer


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I read in a lot of post that the VL is anywhere between 200,000 and 8,000,000.  Also read that under 15 is good. 

What I cant seem to grasp is how the VL measures success.

What is the connection to having less then 15 VL and achieving UND SVR and having 16 or more stating detected and start or continuing tx ?

My VL has been anywhere around 3,500,000 to a high of 4,690,000 and one VL reading a month before tx was 2,500,000.  My doctor said this will changed hourly and not to worry.



__________________

GT 1A:  VL: 4,695,000, started treatment 1/6/13 with off label Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba     No Interferon due to Sarcoid  in liver and lungs.  Recent biopsy shows Cirrhosis level 5/6.  EOT 3/30/14. SVR 8 on 5/30/14
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Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Viral count and being detected with HCV. What does it really mean ?
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