Does NOt detected necessarily mean UNDetected (4 Week Labs)

[Idyllic]

HCV RT-PCR, Quant (Non-Graph)
Hepatitis C Quantitation   HCV Not Detected IU/mL   
HCV log10        
Unable to calculate result since non-numeric result obtained for component test.


The quantitative range for this assay is 25 IU/mL to 69 Million IU/mL using a combination of Taqman real-time PCR (LLOQ 43 IU/mL) plus reflex to another Taqman assay (LLOQ 25 IU/mL) for low viral load samples that were detectable by the original Taqman real-time PCR assay but not quantifiable. The limit of detection of the assay is 7.1 IU/mL for HCV Genotype 1.

Question: Does this mean my VL is lower than 25 IU/mL or 7.1 IU/mL & I am technically not UND yet, right?

[flcyclist]

"for low viral load samples that were detectable by the original Taqman real-time PCR assay but not quantifiable."

As stated above, the sample was detectable, but not quantifiable.  That is my understanding.  

[frijole]

To either can do or idyllic

"Hepatitis C Quantitation   HCV Not Detected IU/mL    
HCV log10        
Unable to calculate result since non-numeric result obtained for component test. "

Aren't these the results of your test and do they not say HCV not detected?  What part of this indicates that you still have viral load under the limit of detection?  I am still confused in reading these tests.  The rest of the information you typed in your post is, I believe, the discussion of the range of the test and there is no personal informaiton on your test in that paragraph.  Is that how you understand it?

[can-do-man]

No your doctor used the correct test, its the same as vertex used in their trials. And as you can see below you are not whats called a null responder which is very good news. You would be a Partial responder so odds are very much more in your favor.


Null Responder: A null responder is someone who achieves little or no decrease in hepatitis C viral load during HCV treatment. Null responders are highly unlikely to respond to re-treatment with an interferon-based regimen.

Non-responder: Often referred to as a "treatment failure," a non-responder is someone who does not have an EVR or, if they stay on treatment for 24 weeks, does not ever have a 2-log (99%) drop in hepatitis C viral load or undetectable HCV RNA during hepatitis C treatment.

Partial Responder: A partial responder is someone who experiences at least a 2-log decrease in hepatitis C viral load during HCV treatment. Partial responders are more likely to respond to re-treatment than non-responders or null responders.

http://www.thebody.com/content/art46371.html

[Idyllic]

Hey..I am pretty sure I spelled as·sess/əˈses/ accurately....
Verb:

    Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of:

[Idyllic]

I was just re-reading the Futility Rules and this is what is throwing me off:

For the purpose of assessing response-guided therapy eligibility at weeks 4 and 12 (see Table 1), an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result is required; a confirmed “detectable but below limit of quantification” HCV-RNA result should not be considered equivalent to an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/ucm256328.htm


So, didn't my doctor use the wrong....assay (???) to ***** my condition and apply the Futility Rules? Should I call them? btw I only had a partial response on Peg/Riba Had a 2 Log drop in the beginning and nothing after that so I stopped before 12 weeks

1. Does this make me a Null Responder

[can-do-man]

I can sure understand wanting that 4 week und, but on the bright side you know with under 25 you are having a very good response... So close yet so far away, hang in there, wishing you the very best......