VL Lab Results - Finally!

I'm definitely jazzed. Finally got PCR results from before dosing started until the end of week 20.

First, the good news - the VL numbers, in IU/ml.
First Screening - 20,600,000
Second Screening - 27,500,000
Day 1 before first drug dosing - 28,400,000
Day 4 - 514
Day 8 - 120
Day 15 - 29
Day 22 - UND, and UND since that test - to the end of week 20.

The UND results are described as follows:

HCV RNA PCR TaqMan-RUO-CL <30IU/ml, no HCV RNA detected

I'm not sure if this result means that 30 was the maximum sensitivity of the test, or if No HCV RNA detected means that the levels were below the sensitivity of the assay. This has been described here before, but search won't find that thread!

All help appreciated. I think this is good news, but don't want to get too excited before I know that the UND sensitivity was sufficiently high.

[Myown]

wow thats great!!congrats!! how come they gave you tests so close like that, though?

[Myown]

the day 4 is what i am asking about, the rest looks like you were gettin weekly, i guess

[APKhaos]

That was part of the trial design. They wanted closer data points in the first two weeks. Looks like they knew what they were doing, based on the way the results turned out.

[Myown]

Yes, I'd agree with you,,they definitely knew what they were doing!! Very happy for you!

[sfbaygirl/John]

Looks like the sensitivity of the test is <30 IU, so you COULD have >25 IU or 75 copies of the virus. But this is a pretty sensitive test and you really are an EVR! Great NEWS!

[APKhaos]

The sensitivity issue is tricky. Someone [HR, IIRC] posted a description of the assay process which distinguished between qualitative and quantitative measures. The bottom line was that the TaqMan steps down each quantitative level only when it detects RNA in the sample. If no RNA is detected at a given sensitivity, it does not proceed to a lower step. Not sure I fully understand this, so maybe someone who has a TaqMan at home [:-)] will post the definitive explanation.

[ladybug52]

Well you just answered my question from another thread-when you get labs again.
And be careful when you use that term buggers. I'm very sensitive now!:)
Janice

[sfbaygirl/John]

I have the Taqman too. Yes, HR did post that they do a step down from Quant to Qual. but there are limits on those too, hence my concern of my test being <75 IU/ml I could have >70 IU/ml and it would show UND. There are tests that go <5, TMA is what I took yesterday to check for those lingering buggers...

[sfbaygirl/John]

LOL Can I say boogers? I have plenty of those too on tx.

[ladybug52]

Lol! Yes boogers is a much better choice!

[sfbaygirl]

Okay, I'm gonna get rid of these boogers anyway I can!

[ladybug52]

Thanks, I'm doing great all things considered. Tonight was our bowling league night and we won all three games against a much better team. That was a perk. And don't worry I won't bring up the Mavs and their record against you-know-who!
Hugs from Bug
Janice