Two questions about my PCR test results

I have two questions about my HCV RNA reports and hope someone can help me.  

My four PCR tests during tx were all done at the same hospital lab.

Three of my four PCR tests during tx (week 4, 12 and 24) say the 'Specimen' was 'Serum'.

The fourth and final test I had at EOT says the 'Specimen' was 'Blood (coagulated)'.

Is there an important difference between these specimen types or is it a different way of saying the same thing?

Also, even though all four tests were done at the same lab, the first two reports share the same 'Pat. No'. but the final two have a different 'Pat. No'. Could this mean the testing changed, maybe to a different sensitivity?

Thank you. It's not as if I'm worried. :)

Port

[lalapple]

i've always had serum.  good question!  *listens in*

[jmjm530]

The names and sensitivities of all four tests should be on the lab reports. In any event, you can't change what was done but the really important thing at this point will be your four week post treatment test if you want an early indication at SVR. I would ask in advance what test they use and the sensitivity. Personally, I'd want something like Heptimax that goes down to 5 IU/ml and therefore would ask for an outside rx/requistion form if the hospital's tests are not that sensitive. Good luck!

-- Jim

[portann]

Hey, the names and sensitivities are NOT on my tests!  Laugh.

That's why I wanted to know if the specimen and patent number could provide clues.

My NP has a killer workload, so I'm not bugging her.

If you know the difference, if any, between serum specimen and coagulated blood specimen in PCR testing, I would appreciate hearing.

[Rain6866]

I would try to help you with this port because you have always been so great to help me but I know nothing about these test or even what they look like since Im on shot #9 tonight and been waiting over 3 weeks for my test to come back. I hope you get your answers and good luck.

[jmjm530]

Are you sure? Never seen a lab report w/o at least the sensitivities listed somewhere. Do you see any of the words "pcr, tma, Bdna" anywhere on the report?  You can also try googling the patent numbers and see what happens. Also call the lab if you dont want to bug your NP which I understand. But what I would bug the NP about at the appropriate time is the test they will give you post treatment. You want to make sure that is the correct one or you will just get anxious over the validity of those results as well.

Be well. Stay cool and calm. Everything will work out.

-- Jim

[portann]

Huh, so you haven't seen it all!  

Sleuth that I am, I'll bet you my life and life-savings that there  IS a lab report in this world without the words  "pcr, tma, Bdna" and it is MY lab report, d-amn.

Mind you, the NP mailed me the four hospital reports and likely omitted the covering pages in her haste to juggle the doctor's five thousand patients.

Anyway, to my question: 'If you know the difference, if any, between serum specimen and coagulated blood specimen in PCR testing, I would appreciate hearing."

Please.

P.S. I thought MikeS has the patent on 'Be well'. :)

[mikesimon]

I got it from Jim - I think.
Mine is "stay well".
Mike

[portann]

Well then, I'd also love to know the difference between 'be well' and "stay well", in addition to serum specimen and coagulated blood specimen in PCR testing.

Port

[mikesimon]

Stay well is for SVRs - in my world that is.
Mike

[jmjm530]

No, I only filed patent for "Best Regards"

[jmjm530]

Sleuth that I am, I'll bet you my life and life-savings that there  IS a lab report in this world without the words  "pcr, tma, Bdna" and it is MY lab report, d-amn.
----------
Maybe they just have the interns in your hospital count the virons manually.

Best regards

[jdwithhcv]

While we're on the subject, I reserve the rights to "yours, etc.,"

[nygirl7]

Best be staying well to all of you.

[jmjm530]

I have a pending patent on "that said"

[jdwithhcv]

"That said" is in the public domain.

[jmjm530]

Sorry, you need my permission and I minimally require a "pretty please"

[jdwithhcv]

With sugar on top?  Wait, that would take us right into dangerous IR terrotory!

We will have to work something out.  I NEED that phrase, its so much preferable to "having said that..."

[portann]

Okay guys, it's pretty clear that this is a deflection tactic from the serious serum subject counted manually by my handsome intern.

'That said', if any knows, pretty please....

'Best regards' and 'stay well' and how much is the user fee for saying that, anyway?

'Yours, etc.',

Port

[jmjm530]

With sugar on top?  Wait, that would take us right into dangerous IR terrotory!
------
Yes, saying "sugar on top" would mean paying a toll to CW. I even am hesistant to use the word metamorphosis  as it could be confused with Metaformin.

Port, your fee is temporarily waived under the circumstances. Have I suggested calling the hospital lab?

[Tippyclubb]

Blood plasma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


ccording to Wikipedia
"Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. Serum is the same as blood plasma except that clotting factors (such as fibrin) have been removed."
-Captain_DNA-

the serum is obtained after coagulation of blood (and centrifugation to get rid of cells). There is no more fibrinogen compared to plasma, which is obtained from heparinized blood, (id est without coagulation and then fibrinogen is not consumed)
-Missele-


portann the above is from Wikipedia.  Hope this helps you some.  Theres info about that on google but its too much for me to understand after a shot.

[portann]

Tippy: "but its too much for me to understand after a shot."

No shot for me but same here. Thank you, Tippy. I couldn't find anything myself. I give up.

(My stunning cardinal came to a lower branch near my kitchen window. Couldn't believe it. Mine never come too close. Say hi to your guy from Baltimore. I put out string but no luck.)

[Gee704]

Portann I googled serum vs coagulated blood.
Hope this helps but I would ask questions to relief your concerns.

There are three types of blood specimens commonly used in the clinical chemistry laboratory. These are whole blood, serum and plasma. The type of the test determines which specimen should be used. Whole blood includes both the cellular elements and the plasma, so in vitro; it contains an anticoagulant; while plasma is the supernatant fluid when whole blood is centrifuged.

These are the differences of serum and plasma:
1. Serum is the supernatant fluid when coagulated blood has been centrifuged. The blood is allowed to clot at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. When the blood has clotted completely, it is rimmed or ringed with an applicator stick, and then centrifuged for 5-10 minutes at 2,500 revolutions per minute (rpm). The supernatant fluid is then separated making use of a Pasteur pipette, and labeled accordingly. It could be stored at 2-6 degrees centigrade for several days depending on the substance to be tested. It could also be stored at lower temperatures in the freezer for several months. Plasma, on the other hand, is the supernatant fluid obtained when anti-coagulated blood has been centrifuged. The blood is mixed with an appropriate amount of anticoagulant like heparin, oxalate or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This preparation should be mixed immediately and thoroughly to avoid clotting. The solution is then centrifuged for 5-10 minutes at 2,000 -2500 rpm. The supernatant fluid is then separated just like serum and then labeled properly.
2. Serum is clearer than plasma because of fewer proteins. Fibrinogen- a protein- is present in plasma and not found in serum. Proteins are sometimes considered as interfering substances in some tests as they react with the reagent and thereby yield inaccurate results. The presence of more protein components would render the supernatant fluid more turbid.
3. Plasma comes from anti-coagulated blood while serum comes from coagulated blood.
4. Plasma does not need "standing"; it could be centrifuged as soon as it has been mixed thoroughly.
5. Plasma does not need "ringing" or "rimming", only serum does. Since serum needs a clotted preparation, an applicator stick is needed to dislodge the clotted blood that has clung to the sides of the tube and allow the clotted blood to settle down. When ringing is not done and the blood has not retracted, then centrifugation could not occur. Rimming is done with a clean and dry applicator stick.
6. Serum is still the most preferred specimen in Clinical Chemistry as the interferences that maybe caused by a plasma specimen because of the presence of an anticoagulant, is eliminated.
7. Serum takes a longer time to prepare than plasma, because you have to allow the blood to clot for serum preparations. Plasma could be centrifuged immediately after mixing thoroughly.
You should be aware of the type of test to be performed so that you are able to choose the correct blood specimen. Being knowledgeable about the differences of serum and plasma would assist you in deciding between the two which would be the ideal specimen for a particular test.

[Gee704]

Here's the link for the above info.
Sorry I'm a little new to the boards but I know from my reading this is important.

http://www.helium.com/items/1342951-blood-specimens-the-differences-between-serum-and-plasma