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24 week UND!!! Are PCR's unreliable?
Good Morning Vietnam!
I got 21 week PCR yesterday and called the dr. I read to me UND, but wasn't sure b/c of the language. Of course I am happy of this result, but it is so hard to understand.
The comments in parens are the 12 week PCR;
Hep C RNA >1.9 (8) (this said Not Qnt last time)/
<1.9 log IU (same as before)
*(8) Viral load is Result for HCV RNA is LESS Than 75 IU/ML
...Results below the limit of detection (1.9log IU/mL) will be reported as >1.9 log IU/mL. Results between 1.9 and 2.3 log IU/mL (75 to 200 IU/mL) will be reported as "HCV RNA detected below the limit of quantitation."
Would you say this means I am UND? Why the Not Qnt last time? Ultrasound says fatty liver versus cirrhosis, this is scary as he said it could be one or the other.
The GI told me that PCR's are SO unreliable that he doesn't put too much stake in them. Interesting! He says he was one of the first Dr's in the world to do PCR's and has done them by hand. Claims that the same blood sample can change from hour to hour as far as VL. If this is the case why do we put our lives in the reports of PCR's. I asked about getting a more sensitive test or TMA etc. He said they are all the same. He will do a Qualitative next time...I really thought this was something to discuss here. If PCR's are so unreliable and fluxuate, then why do we say someone that has a breakthough with a few copies stop tx?
I got 21 week PCR yesterday and called the dr. I read to me UND, but wasn't sure b/c of the language. Of course I am happy of this result, but it is so hard to understand.
The comments in parens are the 12 week PCR;
Hep C RNA >1.9 (8) (this said Not Qnt last time)/
<1.9 log IU (same as before)
*(8) Viral load is Result for HCV RNA is LESS Than 75 IU/ML
...Results below the limit of detection (1.9log IU/mL) will be reported as >1.9 log IU/mL. Results between 1.9 and 2.3 log IU/mL (75 to 200 IU/mL) will be reported as "HCV RNA detected below the limit of quantitation."
Would you say this means I am UND? Why the Not Qnt last time? Ultrasound says fatty liver versus cirrhosis, this is scary as he said it could be one or the other.
The GI told me that PCR's are SO unreliable that he doesn't put too much stake in them. Interesting! He says he was one of the first Dr's in the world to do PCR's and has done them by hand. Claims that the same blood sample can change from hour to hour as far as VL. If this is the case why do we put our lives in the reports of PCR's. I asked about getting a more sensitive test or TMA etc. He said they are all the same. He will do a Qualitative next time...I really thought this was something to discuss here. If PCR's are so unreliable and fluxuate, then why do we say someone that has a breakthough with a few copies stop tx?
i guesse if it was 70 copies you would still have to tx for 48 weeks so it is irrelevant???
i recommend 4 week pcr to all to really get an idea of progress. a large percent at 4 wks clear.
bobby
i recommend 4 week pcr to all to really get an idea of progress. a large percent at 4 wks clear.
bobby
Despite not having the most sensitive test available an undetectable result is cause for celebration. We've got to keep things in perspective which isn't always easy and it is clear that you are responding. I would probably research and bring copies of articles discussing the benefits of sensitive testing as well as the potential pitfalls with less sensitive testing. The guy might just learn something and you might end up getting a better test next time. But by all means do not dispair or agonize over what's been done. It's still great news. Congratulations again! Mike
I think I could beat you in being a pain in the neck, girl! LOL This stuff is a pain in the neck and worrying about everything just exasperates it. Sometimes I wish I were really stupid (no comments about that please!!) and just could cruise on through, but my head does double time thinking about all this stuff. As does yours!! LOL
Thanks for the congrats! It does feel good to be UND. I was worried and now I am more worried...LOL The dr. says he was the first to do PCR's. Well maybe they are more reliable now. He worked in NYC with HIV patients back in the day. While I do think the sensitive tests are more reliable, it is interesting that the same sample can change in an hour! The what if's are driving me nutz!
I can't wait until you start tx and become a REAL pain in the neck! I am gonna get you then! LOL
Thanks for the congrats! It does feel good to be UND. I was worried and now I am more worried...LOL The dr. says he was the first to do PCR's. Well maybe they are more reliable now. He worked in NYC with HIV patients back in the day. While I do think the sensitive tests are more reliable, it is interesting that the same sample can change in an hour! The what if's are driving me nutz!
I can't wait until you start tx and become a REAL pain in the neck! I am gonna get you then! LOL
i had it 37 years and knew it ...they kept saying i had CRONIC hep before they knew about hep c. married 32 yrs and she is neg and i am sure will stay that way. it does't hide they just did not understand it. good theory though...keep thinking.
she just was refused to give blood again.
she just was refused to give blood again.
I am really one of the hard core 4 week PCR people. It is CRUCIAL to my overly obsessive HCV mind.
I was 411 at 4 weeks. 3 log drop. Yippee right?
But at week 12 I was 419. 3 log drop. Yippee?
If I had not had the 4 week PCR I would have mistakenly thought I'd been going down, down down the entire time but as it was...
Of course in the end it really made no difference because I extend anyway due to the positive at week 12. But I really believe that having more frequent PCRs gives you a clearer indication of what is going on.
I asked Dr. J about this and he said that they always do monthly PCRs during treatment but it was more to satisfy curiosity than anything.
So I guess really ... its very subjective and depends on how much you want to know or not. Some people unlike us in here just treat and never ask ONE question - don't know what geno they are except "the bad one" etc.
of course..........we need to know EVERYTHING ;)
I was 411 at 4 weeks. 3 log drop. Yippee right?
But at week 12 I was 419. 3 log drop. Yippee?
If I had not had the 4 week PCR I would have mistakenly thought I'd been going down, down down the entire time but as it was...
Of course in the end it really made no difference because I extend anyway due to the positive at week 12. But I really believe that having more frequent PCRs gives you a clearer indication of what is going on.
I asked Dr. J about this and he said that they always do monthly PCRs during treatment but it was more to satisfy curiosity than anything.
So I guess really ... its very subjective and depends on how much you want to know or not. Some people unlike us in here just treat and never ask ONE question - don't know what geno they are except "the bad one" etc.
of course..........we need to know EVERYTHING ;)
I know I am responding and am very happy about that. I really feel for those that don't even respond to the drugs. This has to be heartbreaking! So yeah, I won't look back, but as NY says, who knows if I was REALLY UND at 12 weeks, since my test was to 75IU. As an obsessive treater that obsesses about all of it, it's hard not to think about all of this!
You know, I go through the I wish I'd had a 4 week PCR, I wish I had a biopsy, I wish I had txed 5 years ago etc, etc. Just a real worry wart I am!
In the end it is the luck of the draw. Some of us will relapse, that is just the fact of it all, especially us 1's. We all know we are against the odds going in. Those that are Geno 2 and 3, now have to worry about txing time with all the relapses.
You know, I go through the I wish I'd had a 4 week PCR, I wish I had a biopsy, I wish I had txed 5 years ago etc, etc. Just a real worry wart I am!
In the end it is the luck of the draw. Some of us will relapse, that is just the fact of it all, especially us 1's. We all know we are against the odds going in. Those that are Geno 2 and 3, now have to worry about txing time with all the relapses.
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