PCR DNA Testing

In a decision made in haste and under great anxiety, I decided to have a PCR DNA Test at 7 weeks.  It ordered it through a company called Advanced Testing Centers.  The blood work was done through LabCorp.  At any rate, the result was negative.

The Company claims that my negative result is "conclusive."  In fact, they claim that a result after 28 days is conclusive.  However, I have also learned that PCR DNA Tesing is not FDA approved for diagnostic purposes.  Without discussing antibody tests, does anyone have any information about the reliability and accuracy of these PCR DNA Tests for Diagnostic purposes?  

Why aren't they approved for such a purpose?  And even though they aren't approved for such a purpose, can I say with ~100% certainty that I don't have HIV?

I hope that I can depend on this test result and move on with my life.

Thanks.

[reassurance]

a pcr dna negative at 7 weeks is as certain as certain gets, like me if you are not OK with this certainity wait out another month drooling in puddles of your own anxiety while the rest of the world moves on

[Worried 9999]

Thanks for your quick response.  I'll most likely test out to 3 months with an antibody test just to make sure.  I just don't want to be useless waste of space until then.

From what I understand, the PCR DNA test is designed to monitor viral loads in patients who have already been confirmed positive.  So, you would think that you could use such a test to determine if you were infected at all.  In other words, if your viral load comes back as zero, you don't have it.

On the other hand, if you came back with a detectable viral load in your blood, given the higher possibility of false positives, I can understand why the PCR DNA test is not a stand alone test.  It has to be rechecked using a standard antibody test.

Is this the reason why PCR DNA tests aren't approved for diagnostic purposes by the FDA?  Are there other reasons as well?

[Tommy420]

I too am about to take a DNA PCR test...Today is my 28th day. I am also going to go through Advanced Testing Center. I've done a lot of research on this. There are 2 types of PCR testing for HIV, DNA PCR and RNA PCR.

The DNA PCR test looks for the actual HIV virus in your blood. So if it comes back non-detectable, that means that they weren't able to find the virus. Advanced Testing Center claims that the HIV virus replicates at such a fast rate that after 28 days, it would conclusively be dectectable. I've read this test has somewhat of a high false positive rate b/c the test is so specific that if there's any contamination of the blood, it can come out as a positive, even though you're really HIV negative.

The RNA PCR is a test that measures a person's viral load. This test is usually used to monitor HIV patients after they have already been confirmed to be HIV positive.

I'm still debating whether I should take the DNA PCR b/c I'm worried about a false positive result. Also, from what I've read on Doctor HHH's postings, he doesn't recommend this test b/c it's expensive and by 28 days, a majority of the population will already test positive for HIV antibodies if they were in fact infected. Therefore, it's a waste of money.

But to answer your question, a negative HIV DNA PCR test at 7 weeks means that YOU DO NOT HAVE HIV! Congrats. Might as well get an antibody test at 3 months so that you can convince yourself of your negative result through an FDA approved test. But you are NEGATIVE!

[Joe C]

As a PCR at 7 weeks is indicative of your status, it isn't used for diagnostic purposes. Take a standard antibody test at 3 months, collect your negative and move on.

[kohl144]

How did this go with the PCR -- the primary concern appears to be the higher chance for a false positive.

[brice76]

Yes i agree....that and the cost seems to be the two single most reasons to not get one or why its not approved by the FDA.  I have had three....not one positive.  The testing centers now follow this test with an Antibody test and if the PCR test does test positive, they re-test the sample and use an Antibody test and/or a Western Blot to confirm any positive result.  Hence reducing the false positives.  That is how it was explained to me by Infectious Disease Dr's.

[Teak]

PCR-DNA tests are not diagnostic tests for HIV.