med Bag   Ask Our Hepatitis Experts Questions About-HCV  
Back grey_arrow_rt.gif
 
 
 
 
Is there a way to tell if I have any copies of the virus?
 
 
Dear Dr. Chung,
 
 
 
My viral load prior to beginning tx was 3 million since week 3 of tx, it has been "under 550" I am now in my 5th month of tx Is there a way to tell if I have any copies of the virus? "under 550" is not terribly specific
 
Thank you,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dr Chung Writes-  
 
 
You can ask to have a qualitative test done - this can help determine if you have under 50 or 60 (that is, it's a bit more sensitive). overall, this is a very good sign, though.
 
There is also a ultrasensitive test that measures as low as 10 copies from LabCorp.
 
 
  Dr. Chung       
 
 
 
  med Bag Ask Our Experts   www.natap.org   icon_envelope.gif Answers