Please help interpret my 5 Wk RNA result

[Charismatic]

My starting/baseline RNA was 859000. I am Gen 3a doing 24 wk. here is the excerpt from my lab report

RNA Detected,  < 15 IU/ml
The result for HCV RNA is below the linear range of the assay and thus the exact value cannot be calculated "

Thanks

[HCA]

Just means that the test detected viral RNA at a level too low to quantify.
Ideally with 3a would like to see you negative at four weeks but a good result nonetheless.

[epiphiny]

You didn't mention what week of treatment you are in, could you please post that info?  And what test was used to get that result?

That result means the virus is undetectable to the lowest sensitivity of that particular test.

There are tests that have a lower sensitivity but it is my understanding that while they are more sensitive they are less accurate, there have been many posts on this topic, you just need to use the 'search this community' function to find them.

That is the same result I have had since week 4 of treatment and I have been considered UND (undetectable) since then.  Once your are UND for 6 months after the end of treatment (EOT) you will be considered to have attained SVR (sustained viral response) otherwise known as 'cured'.

I would be delighted at this news!  In fact I was!!  

I'm just off to get my 3 months EOT test so I hope to see the same result come back for me.

Epi :)

[epiphiny]

OK, I just read your post's title.  That was a 5 week test result.  So, you can consider yourself UND at this point.  The best news you could get at this stage tx (unless your test is more snsitive).  IF it was a 4 weeks test you would be considered to have had an RVR (rapid viral response) which is a pretty good indicator toward a successful treatment.

So congratulations and well done!!

[Bill1954]

Epi, my take on the results are the same as HCA’s. The patient continues to be detectable, although below the level of quantification. Most probably, the FDA does not allow the lab to quantify extremely low levels of viremia (<15 IU/mL) with this test, even though it can still detect a positive result.

If it were me, I’d ask to repeat the quantitative test at 6 or 8 week juncture, and act accordingly.

Good luck to you,

Bill

[epiphiny]

I feel like an idiot!  I thought that the brain fog and confusion was meant to get better after tx!  I failed to see the word 'detected' and just focused on the <15IU/ml.

Thanks for pointing it out Bill in such a polite way!

Charismatic, I'm sorry I have confused you.  I concur with HCA's analysis now that I correctly understand your post.  I also think it may not be too long before you become UND and strongly support Bill's advice to repeat your test in a few more weeks.

Did they tell you when your next test is scheduled for?

Epi :)

[Bill1954]

Hi Epi, I’ve done the same thing before; focusing on the lower limit of detection, instead of the actual result. I’m sure doctors have done it too; this is such an unusual situation, I bet they’ve been caught just like us.

Be well, and take good care,

Bill

[habanerohubby]

One thing I just discovered is there are different tests to detect viral load. I believe you are looking fir the HCV  RNA PCR Quantitative , not a 100 % sure.

[Marcia2202]

Being a geno 3 you should ideally be undetected (UND) by 4 weeks.

The results mean that the virus is still detectable, but below 15.

I was not UND at 4 weeks and extended treatment. (So far so good. 4 weeks post treatment I was still undetected.)

I was undetected at 8 weeks and my doctor implied the formula: time of achieving UND + 24 weeks, which resulted in 32 weeks treatment.

If I was you, I would look into possibly extending treatment. Have another PCR at 6 weeks, if you can. The experts are strongly leaning to individualize treatment. I don't know how open your doctors are to the new way of treating, but give it a try.

[Charismatic]

Thanks for all the comments
the name of the test I was done was  " HepC-Quantitative RNA"
I am presently at Wk 8/9 ( started Tx on May 04) of tx and my NP told me that my next RNA test will be at Wk 12 and Wk 24