Is less than 50 Undetectable?

Hey guys,
Ive been on treatment for 5 weeks now, they just called with the week 4 lab work. She said the viral load was less than 50. I know this is really good i'm just wondering if this is the same as undetectable. My starting VL was only 12,000 as geno 1A. Thanks.

[Marc1955]

She may have meant that the particular test only had a sensitivity down to >50 iu/ml. If the test didn't detect any virus, that would mean officially you are undetectable.

But there are many other tests these days that are much more sensitive, with cut-offs of >10 iu/ml or >2 iu/ml. It is probably worth asking to switch to one of those for future tests if you can, since it is possible to have detectable levels of virus below 50 iu/ml. You could take the Quantasure test from LabCorp which detects virus down to 2 iu/ml.. Quest also has a test. I'm sure someone else will provide the name.

[newleaf09]

Depends on the PCR test they are using.  Yours may not be accurate enough to be able to swear that you are UD and even if you are, may only ever say "less than 50".  Researchers trust the Taqman test best.

If you started at VL 12,000 it would not be unusual for you to go undetectable early and stay UD.  Don't get a big head and slack off anywhere along the way, and you're looking at a positive prognosis.

[apache1]

Is your lab, Quest?

If so, more than likely you took the Quest HCV RNA PCR <50, this is their generic all purpose quantitative hcv test.
If so, you are considered undetectable to the limits of the test. This is good !

So you probably do NOT have any virus at all. But could, up to the 50 limit of the test.
To give you perspective on this <50 test sensitivity, most of the studies done on SVR rates used a <50 test or similar, except the very newest studies within the last couple, few years

apache

[jmjm530]

Ask for your own copy of your test results -- all your test results. Then you will know for sure.

[apache1]

And maybe next VL test, ask Your Dr if your ins will cover the below tests.

if you use Quest  diagnostics, Heptimax.... good to <5

or if at LabCorp, NGI QuantaSure  LC#140639.... good to <2

Yup, what Jim says, get your test results, all of them. Keep a folder

apache

[Frap]

Thanks for the responses. It is Quest that they are using. I'll be sure to ask for copies of the results and also a more accurate test the next time.

[lalapple]

like many have already said, it's a sensitivity thing.  my liver clinic has been giving me the <5 ones, but family doc's only goes to <50, and i only go to Quest labs so guessing they do both upon doc's request?

[Frap]

Just got my results back for 24 weeks post treatment, all clear! I know I never really post here, but I read this forum all the time and it helped me a ton during treatment, thanks for all the help!

[Diane12855]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! You made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You ought to start a new thread so others will see your good news.

Diane