Aa
more sensitive pcr
i went to labcorp a few months ago to get the more sensitive test
(down to 2) but i didnt do my homework and did not have the actual test code number
for their computer. they automatically just gave me the quantasure plus which only has a sensitivity down to 10.
what a disappointment. quantasure plus, this is their version of the heptimax except only half as sensitive but same price range. in search of the better test i finally got through to someone at their office and they found the test
listing, its called NGI quantasure, code # 140639. its range is small, 2 million to 2. it is designed for tissue transplant testing. hepatitis patients and their docs dont normally ever request this. it is also twice as expensive a $714. if this exact code is not specified by your doc you will not get this test. maybe ill make it in this week
to get it and if im lucky i can say im more undetectable than you regular blokes!
in the practical world i dont know if this is justified or even meaningful but i know it would make me feel better so thats good enough by itself. it might also be interesting and revealing to see fluctuations between 4, 3, 2 and less then 2. especially towards the end of the shot cycle were the interferon has dissipated from our system. ive never seen anyone on the forum with these test results and they might show us things we can never see from the heptimax down to 5.
(down to 2) but i didnt do my homework and did not have the actual test code number
for their computer. they automatically just gave me the quantasure plus which only has a sensitivity down to 10.
what a disappointment. quantasure plus, this is their version of the heptimax except only half as sensitive but same price range. in search of the better test i finally got through to someone at their office and they found the test
listing, its called NGI quantasure, code # 140639. its range is small, 2 million to 2. it is designed for tissue transplant testing. hepatitis patients and their docs dont normally ever request this. it is also twice as expensive a $714. if this exact code is not specified by your doc you will not get this test. maybe ill make it in this week
to get it and if im lucky i can say im more undetectable than you regular blokes!
in the practical world i dont know if this is justified or even meaningful but i know it would make me feel better so thats good enough by itself. it might also be interesting and revealing to see fluctuations between 4, 3, 2 and less then 2. especially towards the end of the shot cycle were the interferon has dissipated from our system. ive never seen anyone on the forum with these test results and they might show us things we can never see from the heptimax down to 5.
No quibbles with that statement -- and in fact I might do the same if using LabCorp. I was just giving HR's take on the matter, per his post to "Cruel" and myself, somewhere way up there in the thread.
With Quest, it's a little different however. Their HCV RNA TMA QUAL(while offereing the same sensitivity as Heptimax) is not identical to the TMA part of Heptimax, and uses slightly different technology (not to mention it's a qual verus a TMA quant) as well as usuing a dedicated lab. LabCorp's UltraQual, on the other hand, is identical to the second part of the NGI Quantasure, so as you say, you're getting a little bonus testing thrown in, being a possibly numeric result if detectible.
With Quest, it's a little different however. Their HCV RNA TMA QUAL(while offereing the same sensitivity as Heptimax) is not identical to the TMA part of Heptimax, and uses slightly different technology (not to mention it's a qual verus a TMA quant) as well as usuing a dedicated lab. LabCorp's UltraQual, on the other hand, is identical to the second part of the NGI Quantasure, so as you say, you're getting a little bonus testing thrown in, being a possibly numeric result if detectible.
Speaking for myself, I'd much rather get the quantitative test at EOT (unless it was out of pocket, where I might have to compromise). Firstly because my insurance company paid for it no problem, and secondly if I did score + (i.e. >2 IU/ml) I'd want to know just how positive I was. Otherwise you're left hanging, wondering what your VL might be. Then, after being confronted with the ambiguity of the qual + result, you'd probably want to be retested with the quantasure anyway. And then you'd have to be retested, re-submit charges again to the insurance co (which they might deny due to frequency of testing) and then wait to get your results back (mine took a little over 3 weeks, incidentally). No thanks, I'll just get the quant right up front. The magnitude of the VL would factor into the decision to extend tx, add drugs, or maybe take my chances and stopping depending on how I felt at that time (and what level of fibrosis I had, of course).
yes, a lot more questions but as you said... "will this research actually be done in such a fast changing treatment landscape or will it probably be eclipsed by the fast moving PI's and other add-ons", so true.
That was the other question I had for hr but may have not been put it point blank.
He has invented these sensitive blood test and has been able to get the vl down to its lowest point at the present time and I am sure he has used the ten vial study or else he would not have mentioned it. So, the next question would be, for me at least, if after 48/72 weeks of std soc what would make these few SV so resistant (or lasting longer than the others) over that time and is he involved in any on going study in connection with his inventions and other researchers as to why these virions are so resistant or what separates them from the others that have been eradicated or mutilated beyond the replication stage.
jasper
That was the other question I had for hr but may have not been put it point blank.
He has invented these sensitive blood test and has been able to get the vl down to its lowest point at the present time and I am sure he has used the ten vial study or else he would not have mentioned it. So, the next question would be, for me at least, if after 48/72 weeks of std soc what would make these few SV so resistant (or lasting longer than the others) over that time and is he involved in any on going study in connection with his inventions and other researchers as to why these virions are so resistant or what separates them from the others that have been eradicated or mutilated beyond the replication stage.
jasper
On the other hand, if some day in the future, they did find viable virions in the serum of SVRs who treated with SOC -- and if newer treatments existed at that time which would wipe out those virons -- and if it was then shown that the treatment to wipe out those virons had some clinical significance -- and assuming the risks of the treatment (hopefully by this time it will be a couple of weeks of pills) do not outweigh the rewards -- well, I think I will be first on line to get the pills :) Or maybe you might be me there. LOL.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Mike: The question now becomes what do we do?"
I believe in that case we should proceed as if we are undetectable
---------------------------
I agree unless further studies show different.
--------------
Mike: I assume you believe that there is absolutely no trace of (viable) HCV in SVRs (in serum) but I don't agree with that. (Parens mine)
As you know many doctors believe this -- some don't -- and I'd like to believe this. But assuming for sake of discussion that you're correct, I think we both agree that at present there is nothing to be done and therefore I would decline a 10 vial test at this point in my SVR. If positive in one vial, then what? More interferon, I think not :) For now, I will enjoy my SVR and "cure" as was expressed to me by my doc.
Hope this finds you well enjoying the holiday season.
-- Jim
I believe in that case we should proceed as if we are undetectable
---------------------------
I agree unless further studies show different.
--------------
Mike: I assume you believe that there is absolutely no trace of (viable) HCV in SVRs (in serum) but I don't agree with that. (Parens mine)
As you know many doctors believe this -- some don't -- and I'd like to believe this. But assuming for sake of discussion that you're correct, I think we both agree that at present there is nothing to be done and therefore I would decline a 10 vial test at this point in my SVR. If positive in one vial, then what? More interferon, I think not :) For now, I will enjoy my SVR and "cure" as was expressed to me by my doc.
Hope this finds you well enjoying the holiday season.
-- Jim
Actually -- from what I've learned from HR in this thread (see post above from HR to "Cruel/Jm) -- assuming you already have been tested during treatment by something fairly sensitive -- then at EOT (and post treatment) a more cost effective (but equally accurate test) would be LabCorp's HCV NGI ultraqual LC#140609 which is the actually qual portion of the two-part NGI Quantasure linked by Mre.
Link for UltraQual here: http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labcorp/html/chapter/mono/id003400.htm
(Sensitivity 2-3 IU/ml)
Alternatively, you could take Quest's "HCV RNA TMA QUALITATIVE"
I'd supply the link but not sure if test has national test code numbers so best to order it as writen above. (Sensitivity 5 IU/ml)
-- Jim
Link for UltraQual here: http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labcorp/html/chapter/mono/id003400.htm
(Sensitivity 2-3 IU/ml)
Alternatively, you could take Quest's "HCV RNA TMA QUALITATIVE"
I'd supply the link but not sure if test has national test code numbers so best to order it as writen above. (Sensitivity 5 IU/ml)
-- Jim
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