Conflicting test results

[cdd81]

I recently went to my doctor to be screened for stds.  I came back negative for everything except they told me i was positive for HSV2, even tho i have never had any symptoms. I did some research and questioned their results, asked what the actual number was.  They told me that it didnt have a number just said positive. I obtained a copy of the test and it said <100 au/mil is negative, 100-120 au/mil is equivocal, and greater than 120 au/mil is positive, and that mine was greater than 120 au/mil.  I researched some more and could not even nail down what type of test this is, since common testing reads with a 0 - 6.00 or so testing scale on it, so I went elsewhere and got retested.  I tested at less than 0.91 and therefore was negative for HSV2.  Now my doctor is calling me insisting that the first test IS the standard in testing for herpes, while my research leads me to believe that it isnt a true type-specific test.  Can anyone shed some light on this for me? She left me a voicemail wanting to discuss this and I would like to be able to speak a little more intelligently about it, although i am almost certain that the 2nd test is correct.  Thank you for your help

[gracefromHHP]

Thank you!  I have a few folks looking into this for more info which if I get any, I'll pass on to you :)

grace

[cdd81]

Grace.. im still trying to get back in touch with the doc..apparently they want me to come back in for the same exact test they did before.. which i dont see much point of...  but according to the printout their "Reference Lab" is ARUP Laboratories, 500 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT  84108

The lab that my doc used directly is the St. Francis Lab in Tulsa, phone number 918-494-1300.. but I doubt they will be very forthcoming with info..

[gracefromHHP]

Did you by chance get the name of the lab your doctor uses?  I have a few folks trying to look into this more for me but I need the name of the lab so that they can contact it.  If you want, you can pm me the name of your clinic and  their phone number and I can give that directly to the folks :)  

grace

[gracefromHHP]

sounds great! I'll be in and out all day. Want to take advantage of the beautiful weather today and get outside but I"ll be checking in off and on :)

grace

[cdd81]

I will see what the doc says today when she calls me back, hopefully she can find out from the lab because they will not even talk to me.. She seems very concerned about the possibility of her lab running a bad test.  I will post what I find out because it may help someone in the future with a similar situation.

[gracefromHHP]

If you can find out exactly what test it is that the lab used ( brandwise - it's not herpeselect and it's not captia ) I can better get answers for you to pass onto your provider hopefully. The other lab in California who is using it, is less than forthcoming with details :(

grace

[cdd81]

Thank you Grace! If my doctor keeps insisting that her test is correct, I am going to ask her to get me a WB test done at her expense.. since i already forked $150 out of my pocket for the 2nd test.

Thanks again!

[gracefromHHP]

there is a test that is being used in a few labs now in the US that is reporting the way your first one did. No one who I've talked to in the field of herpes seems to know much about it but so far from posts here, it has a very high false positive rate which is why follow up testing is important like you did.

At this point, from the results of your 2nd test, it's not likely that you have hsv2. If you really need the peace of mind, get a herpes WB blood test done to confirm your status.  Just make sure it's done at least 4 months after the last time you had sex.

grace

[cdd81]

Grace I was tested at my doctors office in Oklahoma.. they sent it to their lab also in Oklahoma and they are the ones that ran the test.

[gracefromHHP]

were you originally tested outside the US or were you tested at a lab in california the first time?

grace

[cdd81]

Just a little additional info.. the first test said it was a Herpes Simplex 1 & 2 Ab IgG test.  It was accompanied by an IgM test with a score of 0.79 i believe.  

The second test was done at planned parenthood for HSV 2 only, and it was an IgG test.