unstable results is this happening to anyone else.

[Rosebudfrita]

On week 4 went from 2.4 mil to -25
then undetectable back to -25 back to undetectable currently -25 . I have 4 weeks to go! But im worried about my results . Doc says not to worry unless it goes positive.  But I wanna here UNDETECTABLE every time! Lol.

Has anyone had my result experience and gone SVR?

[hepc4Sandi]

I have been using single use disposable razors, buying a new toothbrush every week, and soaking all clippers, nail files in bleach every week. Don't even want to take the chance.

[nan535]

That's great news!  I know you must feel great!

Nan

[kirk8]

I never thought about that.  Wouldn't it be crazy to go through treatment and then reinfect yourself by using your old razor or toothbrush.  

[JimmyMose]

Wow, Glad I just remembered to get new razor blade and tooth brush. With Gillette Power Fusion, one will last me about a couple of months.

[JimmyMose]

Update VL Results results are in
DAY 14   Great news, undetected expected at week 4
HCV RNA LOG10* (V2) 1.1 LOG 10
HEPATITIS C VIRUS RNA  <12 IU/mL
Target Detected
The quantitation range of HCV RNA RT-PCR is 12-100,000,000 IU/mL.

I guess the VA is using one of the latest test that uses <12 for lower quantitative range.

[kirk8]

Wow, that was very informative.  

When I was on treatment with boceprevire, my second blood test was “detectable:  below quantifiable level,” or something like that.  That was at week 5 (end of first week after lead in period) and my doctor decided to put me on the shortest treatment duration.  That worried me at the time.  I thought the treatment guidelines said to only do the 7 month duration, if undetectable, at first test after starting boceprevire.  Well, it worked, so I guess doctors sometimes treat these very low readings as if they were undetectable.  

[Rosebudfrita]

Thank you Nan! Yes it does put me at ease. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Yes SVR here we come! ........

[nan535]

Happy to hear you are undetectable again. That should put your mind at ease.
Now forward to SVR!

Nan

[Rosebudfrita]

Sorry about confusion . Yes poo5581 is right it means less than 25 but when I saw result on paper is was printed as -25 like I first posted.

Either way today my result was back to undetectable! Yay! 5 more weeks of treatment to go!

[nan535]

Thanks, Jimmy. He continues to have HE daily unfortunately. Its like a light switch now  - 12 hours on and then 12 hours off. I am trying to figure out the best time of day to give him his HepC meds where it won't interfere so much with our quality of life. He is in his 11th week now, with 13 to go. If things don't improve I don't know how he will be able to continue. I suspect his kidney injury is impacting on his ability to clear the ribavirin in a timely manner. The ribavirin causes hemolysis releasing more ammonia. For others, it probably wouldn't be a problem but for him it is.  I'm praying as his kidneys continue to recuperate, things will improve with the HE.  
Happy birthday to your Mom!  Coincidentally, my dad had colon surgery at age 92 and he too has no return. He is now, 3 months shy of 95. My mom is 90.  They don't make them like that anymore.  :-)

Nan

[JimmyMose]

Leaving now but just took another look at my pretreatment viral load
HCV RNA LOG10* (V2) 5.9 LOG 10 Final VA HEALTHCARE
HEPATITIS C VIRUS RNA 816018 IU/mL
The quantitation range of HCV RNA RT-PCR is 12-100,000,000 IU/mL.

12?? so even more different tests with different lower thresholds

[JimmyMose]

Hope your husband is doing as well as expected now and he continues to improve with less milder HE episodes, reduction or no other serious side effects and he achieved SVR.

I am sure within the next day or so other members will provide more detailed info. I am leaving now to visit my mother on her 89th birthday at her nursing home. BTW 10 year ago she had colon cancer surgery with no treatments and so far no return.  Then driving about 120 miles to do other tasks and won't get back until late. Hope I have my 2nd week VL results in my VA secu mesg

[nan535]

So getting back to the original poster's question, why is her result bouncing back and forth from undetected to -25 (i.e. <25)and should she be concerned about it? I'd be curious if the same test is being used each time. In not, it could just be the use of a less sensitive test.

Nan

[JimmyMose]

Does <25 mean if  <15 test shows 15 to <25 treatment can be continued at week 4 and doesn't refer to a <25 test?  

[hrsepwrguy]

Question 2. What do these test results mean: “<15 Detected” or “<15 Not Detected”?

A “<15 Detected” means the assay was able to detect HCV RNA but was not able to accurately quantitate the viral load. A “<15 Not Detected” means the assay did not detect HCV RNA (Target Not Detected).This test is performed using the COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® Taqman® HCV Test v2.0. The lowest viral load this assay can accurately quantify is 15 IU/mL, but the limit of detection is 10-13 IU/mL. Therefore, we can qualitatively report detection even if the viral load is under 15 IU/mL.

http://education.questdiagnostics.com/faq/FAQ22v1

Not the exact same test but you get the idea

[candyce1953]

my first was < 43 detected( because it was 46 at two weeks)

HCV PCR QUANT (VIRAL LOAD) <=43 IU/mL Detected, 95% positivity rate) of the most
prevalentHCV genotypes 1-3 ranges from 7 IU/mL for genotype 1, to 15 IU/mL
for genotype2. Quantitative results are reported across the assay linear range
of 43 to69,000,000 IU/mL. Although DNA-based assays are highly accurate,
rarepolymorphisms in primer binding sites may yield erroneous result.Reference
Range: Viral RNA Not DetectedQuantitative Range: 43-69,000,000 IU/mL


My second blood test at 4 weeks was undetected a DIFFERENT test please see the IU/mL

HCV PCR QUANT (VIRAL LOAD) <=15 IU/mL Not Detected, 95%positivity rate) of HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, and 6 is 15
IU/mL.Quantitative results are reported across the assay linear range of 15
to100,000,000 IU/mL. Although DNA-based assays are highly accurate,
rarepolymorphisms in primer binding sites may yield erroneous result. Please
notethe new HCV COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan HCV version 2 method has an
expandedquantitative range from 15 to 100,000,000 IU/mL as compared to the
previousversion 1 method range of 43 to 69,000,000 IU/mL.Reference Range:
Viral RNA Not DetectedQuantitative Range: 15-100,000,000 IU/mL

[JimmyMose]

I am also not sure about the different types of VL measurements and what they mean. I am GT2 SOV/RBV waiting a week now for my 2 week VL results

VA official recommendation  .
at week 4 of treatment; if the HCV RNA is greater than or equal to 25 IU/mL at Week 4 or at any time point thereafter, all treatment should be discontinued.

Have seen mention of test that measure less than 10 or 15. Is the test that measures less than 25 cheaper and/or used for determining whether to continue treatment?   Are the 10 and or 15 detection limit.test more expensive, used for SVR or other?   Could be wrong but thought I saw mention of lower than 15 can be considered SVR?    

[nan535]

Something I have wondered and confused  -about
LLOQ means "lower level of quantification"

If the poster is <25 is that LLOQ? If so, then how  could that be undetected?
Or is it that because they can't quantify any lower, its considered undetected?

Nan

[pooh55811]

I think she means less than 25 (commonly written as <25). That means the test can quantify down to 25 only and, although it is detectable, it is less than 25.

[kirk8]

I don't understand how someone could have a -25.  Does that mean a genitive viral load?  Wouldn't that be impossible?

Sorry for posting a question to your thread Rosebudfrita; You got me curious.  I almost posted it separately but posted here because it is so related to your question.

[can-do-man]

We have seen this here before and for the most part if they had enough blood left to retest it the results would be Und. I agree with your doctor and wouldn't worry about it. Besides any breakthrough would come back much higher. Hang in there.