Done

My coach has been asking me to have a lactate threshold test for a while. He determined my heart rate zones last year with a hill test, but now he wants the real deal. We had a few extra bucks this month, so I agreed to do it when OB asked me about it again.

The professor in charge of the LT testing is also a cyclist. I don't know much about him. I did a century with him a while back when I was training for IMKY, but that's about it. I got a confirmation email he sent out to everyone. It had directions attached and he listed everyone's name with their scheduled time of testing. Mine was set for this Saturday at 10am.

Yesterday I called the lady who helps the professor with the LT testing. I had a few quick questions about the test and I knew she would know the answers. She is also a reader of this blog and knows I have Hep C. She mentioned she was learning to prick fingers during our conversation.

This morning, I got the following email and it was sent to a total of 10 people.

Please note for the safety and health of the students who are testing cyclists as well as other cyclists, we do not want to test any individual known to have blood borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. In addition, if somebody has a flu virus etc. we ask that you refrain from being testing and we can reschedule you for another time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, but we want everybody to remain safe and healthy. If you have any of the conditions above, please contact me to cancel ASAP so that I can make your time slot available to another individual who would like to be tested this weekend.

My LT testing cxld because of Hep C.
I immediately burst into tears and emailed him back. I cc'ed my own liver doctor as well.

Why did he handle it this way? He knew damn well I was the one with Hep C because he told me flat out a blog reader who was helping with the test brought it to his attention.

Then why email everyone? Why not just send me an email privately?

I thought Discrimination.




















My liver doctor responded back to me:

"This displays ignorance on the part of Dr. _____. If they are not drawing blood, there is essentially no risk to anyone involved in the study. If they are drawing blood, they should be using universal precautions because many (if not most) people with hepatitis, HIV, and other communicable diseases are asymptomatic and unaware that they are infected."

Yes, a prick of the finger is involved. I would hope they are wearing rubber gloves with everyone, and taking precautions as any professional would.

Just for the record, it is very hard to transmit Hep C.
Educate yourself before you start making judgements.