Four week lab results (not understanding)

[unprepared]

The test is from quest labs and method used is real time pcr of the 5' UTR of the HCV genome. The test was performed using COBAS (R) TaqMan (R) HCV test kit (Roche Molecular Systems inc.) My results are as follows:

Heptimax (R) HCV RNA (IU/ml) ------------------------------- <5 IU/ml  (<5)
Heptimax (R) HCV RNA (Log IU/ml) ------------------------- <0.70 log IU/ml (<0.70)

What does this mean?

[rog1958]

Flcyclyst, thanks for the link to quest.  That is the lab I get my tests from and this really helps me to interpret the results. I am usually to impatient for the doctor visit.  Finally got first test results today and nothing extraordinary.

[unprepared]

Thanks for information. This news has made me want to press on another day. I was ready to give up yesterday due to sx but took my shot anyway. I'am so glad I did. evryone on this forum is great and wish all the very best.

[willbb]

hey D  :)

[flcyclist]

oops. hi will :-)

[flcyclist]

The Heptimax test is a two part test.  They first run the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by quantitative transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) for samples with <43 IU/mL HCV RNA.

The limit of quantification for the RT-PCR is 43 IU/mL and the limit of quantification for the TMA is 5 IU/mL.  Since your results indicate <5 IU/ml, you viral load is Undetectable.  Congrats.  Very good news at 4 weeks.

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/testguide.action?fn=TS_Heptimax.htm

[willbb]

predictor

[willbb]

The Heptimax < 5 and the .7 log are the same thing . The log representation is just another wayof stating the result.

<5  IU/ML means that you are Undetected.
At week 4 this is an excellent preditorr of overall success. Congratulations  and good luck the rest of the way..

Will