A VL testing question for jmjm530

Hi jim,
been reading your comments about the sensitivity of VL testing in a few threads but I am still not clear which test is good enough or sensitive enough to do our wk 4 wk VL test and wk 12 VL test

Here in Indonesia the best  they have is a quantitative test which  goes upto < 615 IU/ML and then they have a qualitative test which goes upto <50 IU/ML ...both are done by the PCR process
here's my question:If I take both these tests..qualitative and quantitative.. are they sensitive enough or do I need to start looking for more sensitive tests in other countries?
Thanks

[najeen]

If you are UND <50 I would say that is very good. Yes, a more sensitive test would be better but at what cost and what difference? The treatment is either going to work or not. Would a more sensitive test change anything you're doing now? If so, then you might want to spend the time and money and go get one but if not, and I suspect not, then what is the point?

[jmjm530]

Taking both tests (quant and qual)on the same blood draw is a reasonable approach and should give you a very good idea if you're non-detectible or not. My understanding is that at least as of last year, none of the European trials used anything more sensitive that 50 IU/ml. I therefore see no compelling reason to put yourself out in terms of travel and expense to seek a more sensitive test elsewhere. However, should you decide to do so, you will probably find a variety of more sensitive quals and quants ranging from 10 IU/ml all the way down to 2 IU/ml. Unfortunatly, I don't know where and am only familiar with a couple of sensitive tests here in the states which are from Quest Laboratories and LabCorp and have respecitive sensitivities of 5 and 2 IU/ml.

All the best,

-- Jim

[antman]

hi najeen,
well said. in my mind anyway, i think the same way as you concerning tx either working or not. maybe i'm deluding myself but if at week 12 you still haven't dropped at least 2 logs, it ain't working. i just did my 7th shot and i'm getting a VL test Monday. in a way i'm scared to find out, but if it's good news, i'll be happy. either way, i'm going 48 weeks(geno 1), unless like i said, it's not working. then why waste my body, mind and money?

[jmjm530]

I'll also add that my own treating physician -- a well known hepatologist -- here in the states doesn't think anything less than 50 IU/ml is necessary either. I happen to disagree with him -- assuming a more sensitive test is readily available -- but he makes the big bucks treating people, not me :)

-- Jim

[najeen]

I'm so glad I was able to match up with someone here.

;-)

[shastri20032003]

najeen,thanks for your response too. It matches with what jim had to say
best regards

[bobbyullc]

IF YOU ARE BELOW <50 AT WEEKS 4 YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY. LOL

[shastri20032003]

thanks jim,for your quick response,its clear to me now

Well,that does save me a lot of expense and time getting tested elsewhere as the tests available here seem to be good enough

Best regards

[shastri20032003]

sorry najeen..i didn"t mean it that way
what I meant was two similar opinions made the case stonger
:-)
Regards

[najeen]

I was only kidding. Don't sweat it. Hope you're having a nice Sunday.