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1 year post test

I am soon to take my 1 yr test hoping that I am still undetectable. I always used Labcorps most sensitive test although it cost a hefty co pay. At this point I am thinking that a far less sensitive test ( which would cost me nothing) would be fine as a relapse would be easily detectible. I think a test with a low limit of 615 would be ok at this point, any one disagree and if so why.
                                                      
                                                              Thanks, Gary
                                                                
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Avatar universal
Agree with copyman. After one year, all you want to know is whether you are positive or negative and a qualitative test is less expensive.

Using the LabCorp test number is important to avoid mistakes.

#550400 HCV Qualitative RNA PCR -  Detects and confirms Hepatitis C infection - no assay sensitivity given.

#140609 HCV NGI UltraQual - assay sensitivity 5-8 copies/ml (2-3 IU/ml)

Congratulations on your SVR!!

Diamond_Lil



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Avatar universal
Any test will do but I would just do the labcorp UltraQual. this is the most sensitive test. This test is just a quualatitive test not a pcr so it is not that expensive. It simply says pos or neg, this is all you need to know at this point. But as a member here by the name of hepatitis researcher once said if you are UND by this test then you are really UND !!! good luck
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87972 tn?1322661239
Gary, if the test is good enough for Michelangelo’s David, I’d go for it :o).
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Avatar universal
A 615 sensitivity makes sense to me also but is a PCR qualitative to a limit of 50 that much more expensive?  I'm curious by how much, if so.

I thought the super-sensitive tests to ten, five or two were the more costly ones, possibly due to using TMA, not PCR.  

Can't remember squat about this but I'd personally feel fine with a 615.

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87972 tn?1322661239
I think almost any viral assay would be appropriate at 1 year post treatment. There is nothing wrong with the bDNA >615 test; my hepatologist is part of a research/transplant center and supposedly practices cutting-edge medicine, and uses it frequently. The bDNA assay is very specific for HCV; I'd personally be very satisfied with this application. I’d think that if relapse occurred, the virus would have reestablished itself in a robust manner by now.

I am 1.5 years out now, and they are so confident of the durability of SVR that they will no longer routinely test me for HCV.

Best to you—

Bill
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