PCR Test Question

[lollymart]

Hello Everyone -

My hubby just received his last lab report (he was undetected at 12 weeks, 6 months and just took his last shot last week) and the PCR test looks different than his last one.

They did a HCV RNA PCR test 6 months ago and it says <600 which the doctor told him that was the lowest the test would detect and that meant undetectable!  This latest test says the same thing HCV RNA PCR but it says <10.  Again, we are expecting good news from the doctor on his next appointment on Monday but was wondering if they have changed the test to be more sensitive?

Thank you,
Lori

[dr naji mansour]

and what treatment we can use  whene pcr 224   and this pt + b

[dr naji mansour]

what normal vlue and whene say this pt hve hapatits by use pcr only or where say that mimi

[stc1993]

I'm going to get my 12 week pcr test in a few minutes A week late.  The doctors office said they mailed it last week, I got it yesterday. I do my 14th shot Fri. I hope I am clear I had a low viral count of 44,000/ml I have had hcv 30+ years I think. My biopsy was stage 1 no cirrosis. Wish me luck...

Monte

[tgourley06]

my new tests results refernce was <50, my previous test were <600. This was my 2 year post tx test and was still am undetected. your next test should be at 6 months post tx. If yopu relapse it is usually before 6 months, I waited 8 months just to be sure, because the insurance companies are not going to pay for any unnessasary test. They will probably deny this 2 year post tx., but it will be worth it just to make sure I'm still an svr. Wish you and your husband luck.
                TON

[genedog]

yes shot 10 this fri get labs done 12/22 find out 1/4 times going very fast

[lollymart]

Thank you for the information.  We didn't realize there were so many different PCR tests.  My husband did ask his doctor for a test that went lower than the <600.  

He "was" a 1a that started with a viral load of 16 million and stage 3.  His ALT and AST were over a thousand and now both are in the normal range.  We're hoping for the best.  It will be a long 3 months.

Thanks again,
Lori

[jonihs]

My Internist did the <600 test at 4 week into tx. It was as low as the lab he used could test. After that I requested that my labs be sent to qwestdiagnostics because of what I learned here. All of mine from then on were to <50. However, I have been told that after tx., if the virus is going to come back, it will show it's ugly head by 3 weeks. Therefore, if money is an issue, the cheaper tests are probably sufficient. For myself, it was paranoia that caused me to have the qwest tests. And I believe paranoia is a normal symptom of this disease LOL.  Joni

[genedog]

what was his vl before tx and geno iam going on shot 10 hope hope hope i get my 12 week labs 1/4/2005

[cuteus]

I started tx back in 2003 and my negative tests have been  <50 iu/ml, I never got the 600iu/ml. Of course I wonder if I had a vl of 30 and could not be detected....there is one that goes below 5, now.

[DoubleDose]

The test is merely a more sensitive PCR, which is probably a little more expensive, but is a much better tool for really providing an accurate picture of viral status.  Ideally, this test should be used again at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months AFTER the end of therapy.  If all three are undetected, then the odds are up near 99% that it is GONE, and will STAY gone permanently.  My doctor did BOTH highly sensitive Qualitative PCR (<5 IU/ml.), and Quantitative PCR (<5 IU/ml.), on each of my post-tx test points.  Better odds of validity and accuracy for each result.

The 1 month and 3 month post-tx PCR's will tell you a lot, and are very important markers.  If he makes it to the 3 month with an undetected, he is probably in the 97% range for success.  Generally relapse occurs in the first four weeks for the majority, and up to three months or so, for some.

Wish your husband the very best of luck!!!

DoubleDose