quan or qual 1 year post tx?

I will go tomorrow for my 1 year post bloodwork.  I have been negative since 12 weeks into TX.  The script for bloodwork that I have is for the Hep C viral RNA QUAN.  I forget if this is the test I should be getting or should it be the QUAL?  Thanks for any responses.

Denise

[Trinity4]

Hi Denise,

Hope you are well.  Jim advised me on this subject which makes sense.

"Quest's "HCV RNA QUALITATATIVE TMA" written on the report form as " HCV RNA QUAL TMA". As it's name suggests it's a qualitative and goes down to 5 IU/ml, the same sensitivity as Heptimax. At this point, you don't need numbers, just need to know whether you're UND or not. There is less chance of a false positive given the way the test is run. I also found out that regardless of where the blood is drawn, the test is only run at the Nichol's Institute at Cupertino, CA, which supposedly has the highest standards."

That is what I'm going to ask for.

Take good care,
Trin

[copyman]

I agree with Trin. Very good advice

[GSDgirl]

My 2400.00 deductable starts over again april 10th and I'm trying to get this test before then, timing, timing is everything with these deductables.  So I guess I need to call my doc and get the other script for my bloodwork.  He is not going to be happy LOL.  

Thanks

[jmjm530]

At one year post treatment, there are any number (really too many) tests to choose from. Having used and being familiar with Quest Labs, the test I used -- and my preference -- would be their "HCV RNA QUALITATIVE TMA", noted on the report form as "HCV RNA QUAL TMA". Sensitivity is 5 IU/ml, the same as Heptimax but without the unnecessary bells and whistles for someone looking for confirmation of SVR. And regardless of where the blood is drawn, the test is always run at Quest's Nichol's Institute in CA,  a lab that Quest touts as a world leader in specialized lab technology.

Regardless of the test, if you were UND at six months post, I'm sure you will be UND at twelve. Still, good luck!

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Before I get accused of plagiarism, I didn't see your post until after I posted. LOL.

[GSDgirl]

my lab is labcorp not quest.  any difference?

Denise

[Trinity4]

I used your name and quotation marks as not to plagiarize either.  :)

[jmjm530]

LOL. I didn't see my name, but the phrasing did seem a little familiar.

[Trinity4]

Looks pretty reasonable to me Denise.  Someone else may suggest another test LabCorp offers.  Make sure the doc writes the test number on the order if you use this test.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), NGI QuantaSure™, Quantitative, PCR
Synonyms:
HCV NGI QuantaSure™
NGI HCV QuantaSure™
QuantaSure™ HCV

Test Number: 140639 CPT Code: 87522  
Specimen:  Serum or plasma, frozen

Volume:  3.5 mL

Container:  Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, plasma preparation tube (PPT™), yellow-top (ACD) tube, or lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Special Instructions:  Submit a separate request form for each specimen.

Collection:  Collect whole blood in red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, PPT™, yellow-top (ACD) tube, or lavender-top (EDTA) tube. Do not use green-top (heparin) tubes. Centrifuge specimen within six hours of collection. Remove serum or plasma, transfer specimen to a plastic screw-cap transport tube (not ”pop top” or ”snap cap”), and freeze. Ship frozen on dry ice. Note: If PPT™ is used, do not transfer plasma; centrifuge specimen in a swinging bucket rotor centrifuge and ship frozen on dry ice. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

Storage Instructions:  Freeze. (PPT™ tubes can be stored at room temperature for 72 hours prior to shipping.)

Causes for Rejection:  Hemolysis; green-top (heparin) tube; specimen not frozen (not applicable for PPT™); PPT™ not centrifuged; specimen received in ”pop-top” or ”snap-cap” tube

Limitations:  The NGI QuantaSure™ assay has a quantitative range of 2-2,000,000 IU/mL or 5-5,000,000 copies/mL.

Methodology:  Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and detection

[jmjm530]

Being that this is one-year post treatment, I would go with
Labcorps NGI Ultraqual ( LC# 140609) limit 2 Iu per ml as recommended by HR. The NGI Quantasure, above, is a good test but the added steps and expense is really not needed at this point.

[portann]

Thanks for the birthday present. :)

[GSDgirl]

OK, I printed the labcorp test suggested and I will just go to the lab first and ask them if the test ordered is what I need.  It will be easier than getting ahold of my doc LOL.  Thanks again

Denise

[GSDgirl]

You folks are the best!!  Trin, jmjm, The lab was great to.  I printed the labcorp tests and they looked them up and I ended up with the quantasure, Test Number: 140639 CPT Code: 87522 .  Thank You, thank you!!  Now for the wait ..........

Denise