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1815939 tn?1377991799

Can Genotype subtypes and markers always be determined?

When I was tested for Hep C Genotype, I was told I was Genotype 1. No subtypes, no markers, etc. My question is this. Was that because subtypes cannot always be determined (no matter which lab runs the test) or was that because my lab was using a test that was not specific enough. In other words, is my lab behind the times with old testing equipment or would my subtype not be detected even if the best lab with the most up to date equipment had performed the test.

Most people on the forum know so much more than I do about my Genotype. I don't even know if I am Genotype 1 a or Genotype 1 b, not to mention the markers. Others know Genotype, 1 a or 1 b, CC or CT or TT, and the markers. Makes me wonder why I am one of the very few who knows only the bare minimum.  
4 Responses
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163305 tn?1333668571
I only know I'm genotype 2 and I've never really cared about any of the other, just getting rid of the alien virus~but that's me.
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
As Deb mentions, whether you're G1a or G1b, the trt is the same, so no use worrying.   The IL28B test became available in the labs shortly after I started trt.  I wanted to have this done, but was already UND at 4 weeks and realized at that point, it didn't matter.  

Since you were UND at 8 weeks, this information really isn't important during this trt.  Just time to focus on the remainder of trt and put this behind you.  Stay focused and keep chugging along, the weeks will click on by.  Best of luck to you.
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
I just posted on exaddicts thread . I had G1a and G1b both.  It doesn't matter -you treat it the same way, regardless.  Once you are UND you are UND.

We didn't have the tests back then so oldies didn't know if we were CC or not.

Still many of us are cured.

So have faith - it's not how much you know, it's still just beating the h3ll out of what you have!  :)
Helpful - 0
148588 tn?1465778809
I don't know about your specific lab, but I know sometimes viral genotype can't be determined at all - not even able to say type 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Genotype 1 can have any where from 9030 to 9042 nucleotides

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1847443/?tool=pubmed

Section 7.0 paragraph 2

which means there's a lot of variation between subtypes.


As far as host genotype on the IL28B gene (CC or CT or TT) this is a separate test from viral genotyping and some docs don't even do it.

http://www.svaproject.org/L8464-0710-Service-Announcement-FINAL.pdf  
Helpful - 0
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