fastest way to get tested

I was wondering if anyone could help me find the fastest and easiest way to get tested for hep c, the last time i was tested I had to go through a primary care physician which took months to get an appointment, get the blood work papers, go to the lab on a weekend, and then wait 3 weeks for the results. I really need to know and its burning inside me. anyone have any suggestions? thanks.

[jboyhk]

It depends if you are willing to pay for it out of your pocket or not.

You should get the HCV PCR test which will run you about $350 which would be the quickest way.

[jboyhk]

http://www.requestatest.com/

I am sure there are other companies doing the same thing. It seems you don't need to make appt.

However this company just does the antibody testing for HCV which may not develop in the first months of an acute phase.

The HCV PCR tests would give you a viral count if you have HCV.

I am sure if you spend time googling the internet you will find a way to get the test from a walk in lab. Of course , you circumvent the insurance protocol of referels so it would be paid out of ur pocket.

[needreliefnow]

Have you checked your local Health Department? They did mine originally in the Seattle area, I'm sure that they do the same kind of things all over.

[cruelworld]

all youve got to do it go to any blood bank, and give blood (they even pay you a little something). you will only get the preliminary test for anti bodies but in  the beginning thats all you need. if positve, you will have to go to a specialist anyway for the further tests. it seems like the specialist makes you take all the tests again anyway so i dont know if it helps to get yourself the real rna test on your own first.
it will take a week or to for the blood bank to send you a letter telling you they cant use your blood and you are pos. their tests screen for aids and maybe other thinga. not a bad deal at a better than free cost.

[jboyhk]

You have to generally wait 4-12 weeks for the antibodies to show up and sometimes 6months.

If he is inside that period then the PCR is the only test that will definitely show a result.

So its a question of whether he can have peace of mind for 6mths before testing or pay out of pocket now to know.

[jmjm530]

Actually testing for viral load isn't the best way to find out if you have the virus during the acute stage.

That's because at that point the virus is intermittent, meaning sometimes you may test positive for the virus and sometimes you may test negative. This up and down undulation can last as long as 18 months from infection.* I would also not go to a blood blank if you seriously think you have been exposed as there is a very small chance you could slip through the process and therefore contaminate our blood supply. My suggestion is call around and see if another doctor will see you sooner. You could also try calling around to some teaching hospitals and see if the Hepatology department has a screening program or a doctor who will see you earlier.

-- Jim

*Clinical Care Options Web Site. Mitchell Shiffman Module "Hepatitis C Epidemeology, Diagnosis and Treatment".

[mremeet]

If you're in the US any public health center should be able to test you on a walk in basis and for free or next to free. I think the lab result turnaround is fast too.

[Jakied]

If you want to check for the virus, get the pcr qualitative, NOT quantitative.

[mremeet]

Oh yeah I also see these HCV test kits on the shelves in pharmacies now. I looked at one briefly once and I'm pretty sure it had an expedited turn around time, just a few days if I recall. I think you ***** your finger and put a little blood on an absorbent sample material and then mail it into them. Pretty sure you check your results online using the password they provide in the box. I'm sure if you googled it you'd find all kinds of info on it.

[mremeet]

Why would he have to get the qualitative instead of the a quantitative test? What matters is how sensitive the test is, and quantitative tests can go down to 2 IU/ml now, which to my knowledge is the same detection level available for the most sensitive qualitative tests.

[Jakied]

I believe the qualitative test is a little more sensitive that the quantitative test.

The qual checks only for the presence of virus.  the quan checks for how much virus.

[mremeet]

Like I said,  as far as I know Quest's and LabCorp's quantitative 2 IU/ml test is as sensitive as any qualitative test available today (that I'm aware of). In the past the qual tests were more sensitive than the best quantifiable tests available, but that has changed in recent years. The best LabCorp qualitative test (UltraQual) also has 2 IU/ml sensitivity, and most other qual tests I've seen are not nearly this sensitive. So if you know of a qual test that is more sensitive than this, please let me know the brand and type because I'd like to use it as I approach the end of my treatment cycle.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

I believe the qual pcr is more sensitive than the quant because all the qual test does is look the presence of Hcv.  Most testing algorithms have the screening test at the top.  if that is +, go to the pcr qual.  if that is +, you have a confirmed diagnosis of Hcv.  if the pcr qual is neg, the patient has either cleared Hcv or the screening test was a false +.  Riba is then used.  

pos screen/neg pcr qual/neg riba = false + screen and no exposure to Hcv.

pos screen/neg pcr qual/pos riba = clearence of hcv or level of hcv too low for detection.  Another pcr is needed in 6 months.

Hcv is very hard to diagnose sometimes and the waiting is stressful.

Probably everyone should start with an antibody screen test and stop if that is neg.

In add'n, the score on the screening test means a lot.  >3.8 is considered a strong + and probable infection, >95% sure.  >1 and <3.8 is considered a weak + and the confirmatory Pcr and riba tests are needed.  Most weak + are false + and come back as neg on the pcr and riba.

[Jakied]

Sorry, my last comment had multiple posts.  My bad.

[FlGuy]

Can't say that the blood bank concept is one that I would pursue.  If a person thinks, or has a hint, of a blood-borne or infectious disease it's not worth the risk to the public when there are other alternatives.  It's like driving on an interstate at 80mph to make sure your brakes are as bad as you think they are.

[mremeet]

Not to my knowledge, but I guess I could be wrong. Can you refer me to the specific qualitative test that is more sensitive than 2 IU/ml?

[Jakied]

I like lab corp.  If they have a <2 quant test, go for it.  I really hope you have a Svr.  Are you UND now?  Best of luck to you.  Hope for the best.

[Jakied]

Never a good idea to donate blood for a Hiv/hep check.