most used VL test

are most of the people reporting UND using the more sensitive tests that read down to 5 or 10 or the bdna test that only has a bottom limit of 615?
                                                            Thanks Gary

[meki]

Oh if you're going to get a PCR --- do HEPTIMAX --- go ALL the way down --- there are no questions then.

Yanno?

Meki

[frijole]

I think the most common tests run have a sensitivity to about 50 or 60 IU/mL.  Very few doctors use the test which is only sensitive down to 615 IU/mL.  I know the VA uses that one for veterans treating and I see a few posts from Europe where that test is used and a few in the US.  

Most doctors write orders for the tests whaich are sensitive to 50 or so .  I think it is important to do your homework on this one.  Find out which lab your doctor uses -- the primary ones are Quest and LabCorp and then google to find out the best tests available.  Then you will need to ask your doctor to write orders for the one you want.  I had to prove to my doctor that my insurance company would pay for whatever he wrote orders for -- then he woudl do as I requested.

LabCorps most sensitive test is the QuantaSure sensitive to 2 IU/mL .  Without insurance it costs about $650 -$700.  Quest's best test is the Heptimax, sensitive to 5 IU/mL.

frijole

[nygirl7]

650 is an absolutely worthless test.  No reason to bother doing it whatsoever.

At week 4 my viral count dropped down to 411.  Had I used that older test I would have "thought" I was undetectible but I would not have been.  Finding out when you are TRULYL undetectible is crucial to the success of treatment. In my case...I did not clear until somewhere after 12 but before 24.  Had I "thought" i was UND I would not have extended to week 72 and probably would not be SVR today.

It is crucial.  don't let any doctor make the mistake of convincing you differently.  IF they try to, it only means they have not read any of the currect studies or learned of any advances in the care of HCV.

You would be surprised the amount of doctors who are still reading out of old text books but believe they are "current".  They are sadly not and all they do is hurt people.

[Gary906]

Thanks everybody I will insist that we use a better test than we have so far. LabCorps is listed on my healthcare website as an approved testing Lab so I think they will pay for a QuantaSure test. Using the bdna test I still had a 3 log drop at 12 weeks so I think i'm ok so far. As far as und I don't think we really know altough thats what the gastro claimed I was.