SVR at <15

[Sarah1949]

With <15 vl at EOT 12, is this considered SVR? Or would you need to treat again?
Or, in other words, is <15 the same as undetected? I was thinking perhaps different labs report an und viral load in different ways. (<15 is so nebulous in that it could mean zero or 14.)

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

I'm over half way through.

[Sarah1949]

Thanks PJ. You explained that very well.
HCV PCR quant is what is ordered on my tests, but not unitl week 12 and 3 mo EOT. Seems like a long time away. :)

[Pamelajean1]

There are two types of hepatitis C RNA tests, qualitative and quantitative.

The qualitative test detects the presence or absence of HCV RNA and is reported as either detected (positive) or not detected (negative). This is useful in a patient who has a positive HCV test to confirm active infection.

My daughter tests positive to HCV but her qualitative test shows not detected therefore she has no viral load....only the antibodies. She fortunately fought the virus off herself but will always test positive.
    
The quantitative test measures (using PCR) the number of copies of HCV RNA (the genetic material for HCV) in the blood, also known as the "viral load." This number is used to monitor a patient's response to treatment for HCV. For example, doctors will measure your viral load before and during treatment and compare the results.

My first test...using PCR...at 4 weeks of treating was <15 Detected. It still picked up some but not enough to quantify. At 8 weeks, 12 weeks, EOT and EOT 12 weeks was <15 NOT Detected.

[Sarah1949]

How long have you been on S/O? I'm only at two weeks on Tuesday and the last couple of nights have felt achy and cold. A throw over my shoulders usually does the job but there is no way I could do anything other than eat and drink and of course, go to the bathroom. :)
Oh yeah, I'm fine in the mornings but the aching starts about two hours before I take my pills, at 5pm. I never felt this way before starting S/O.

I don't understand the difference in quanitative/ qualative. Of course quanitative makes sense but what's qualitative when it comes to the hcv virus?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

It seems you are basing this on the quantative test. At week 12 and 24 I'm asking for a qualative test. re: S/O
Somewhere in the labs it should say UD. I'm UD.
These are high powered drugs and the longer I take them the more saturated I get by them. Extreme fatigue is setting in. I'm not sure if it's from the Liver disease or the tx. However it seems I'm coming down with a chest cold. There is nothing I can do for it while on tx short of lemon juice and other natural remedies.

[Pamelajean1]

Quest Diagnostics....not diagnosis....gotta love spell check. Lol

[Pamelajean1]

Per Quest Diagnosis....

A “<15 Detected” means the assay was able to detect HCV RNA but was not able to accurately quantitate the viral load. A “<15 Not Detected” means the assay did not detect HCV RNA (Target Not Detected).This test is performed using the COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® Taqman® HCV Test v2.0. The lowest viral load this assay can accurately quantify is 15 IU/mL, but the limit of detection is 10-13 IU/mL. Therefore, we can qualitatively report detection even if the viral load is under 15 IU/mL. This is compliant with the package insert guidelines for the new direct-acting antivirals boceprevir and telaprevir.

[patra_]

It is my understanding that that particular test either shows <15 Detected , meaning therev is still virus in your body -  just very few

OR

it shows <15 UNDETECTED which I understand on the Week 12 Post End of Treatment is the 'cured' one.  In which case we get the fragon Slayer Supreme Insignia!  : -)

If I am wrong, someone, please clear this up for BOTH of us.

Thanks!  Pat

[hrsepwrguy]

I believe that <15 IU/ml would be considered und by the way it is reported, the one's I have seen that were detectable said <15 IU/ml detectable

What lab is it from