Any recommended labs in Phoenix area to redo blood tests?

[greendesert07]

I had some blood tests done and they came positive for HCV.  I have no reason to believe I actually have this since I simply did not participate in any of the risk factors.  My doctor's office scheduled me for a liver biopsy but I feel like I should redo the tests just to make sure it wasn't a mistake.  I'd rather not have them poke my liver if it was a mistake.  I had the tests done at labcorp and I've read some scarry stuff about them, maybe I could find a lab with better reputation.

[Trinity4]

It sounds like you're in panic mode right now.  Slow down a little bit, have the doctor fax or mail copies of your tests to you and have him tell you specifically what tests were performed.  As indicated, the only way to confirm that you have HCV is by an HCV RNA by PCR.  They can do a qualitative PCR which only confirms the presence of HCV in blood serum down to the sensitivity of the test.  Or they can do a quantitative PCR which confirms HCV in blood serum and measures viral load or the amount of virus per IU/ml.  Either way, a positive is a positive and a negative is a negative.

If you are positive the whole testing process takes a while to get through.  Patience is a virtue when dealing with HCV.  It's not a death sentence and you should have very little concern about having transmitted the virus to your wife or child.  Monogomous couples are advised not to change their sexual practices when a partner is infected.  Don't share toothbrushes or nail clippers until you know your status.  Even though the possibility of transmitting the virus through those items is considered very low, it's still possible.  Many many of us have been married and unknowingly infected for years; swapping all kinds of things and no other family member has hepc.

Keep us updated

Trinity

[greendesert07]

I actually don't have the results myself.  I will figure out some way to get a copy of the lab results asap.  I don't know exactly what tests he had me do, but he did say that I have HCV antibodies and not the A&B type.  he gave me a vaccine for that.

[Trinity4]

As nygirl said, unless you have a positive HCV RNA by PCR test I would not opt for a biopsy.  A postive antibody test does not confirm the presence of serum HCV RNA.  If indeed your doctor had a PCR done and the results are positive then that's about 99% percent accurate.

Trinity

[nygirl7]

Unfortunately many people dont have any of the typical 'risk' factors but they do indeed have it.  In the olden days (when most of us were growing up) doctors did not sterlize instruments like they do now, gave injections with the same big old fashion syringes......dentists didn't properly sterlize there are tons of ways you could actually have been infected that you do not think of.

If you had a PCR that has a number next to it regarding your viral load then you have the virus.  If you only had an antibody test it means you were exposed at some point but could perhaps have beaten it off with your own imune system.

I doubt that they would schedule you a biopsy without knowing you were indeed positive but you should find out which test you had and post the results in here. Just about everyone in here can interpret them for you and hopefully give you some insight.