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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Day 18 PCR test shows less then 15 viral load !!!!!
Post Info TOPIC: Day 18 PCR test shows less then 15 viral load !!!!!
Hep-C Dragon Slayer


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RE: Day 18 PCR test shows less then 15 viral load !!!!!
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Today is day 25 on triple tx. 

Doctor changed blood work script from normal PCR / TMA test to INR test with some other red blood cell test and kidney tests.  My Bilirubin is 4.7. 

Doc thinks this will be the highest it will get on the new tx but we are all waiting for the results of todays.

I am jaundice but the blood work done on day 18 and the new tx does not have any reference to others getting jaundice.

 

Other then this, no real or unusual sx to mention.

 

Anyone on new tx have high bilirubin levels ?



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GT 1A:  VL: 4,695,000, started treatment 1/6/13 with off label Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba     No Interferon due to Sarcoid  in liver and lungs.  Recent biopsy shows Cirrhosis level 5/6.  EOT 3/30/14. SVR 8 on 5/30/14
lauralou57


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Keep slaying that nasty dragon!



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maddie


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Fantastic news, Dragon Slayer!  So happy for you.  Here's to continued UND throughout treatment and beyond....



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Dx. 2005-liver bx.: stg 2/gr 1. at that time  - GT 1a multiple transfusions in 1981.  Started Sovaldi and Olysio 1/16/14  (No prior treatments) Q80K present.  UND week 4,8 and at EOT.   UND at wk 4EOT, Und at wk 8EOT  SVR 12!!!..SVR 24 :-)
smccune


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Dragon Slayer....Congrats on your blood tests and yeah, I don't really understand all the whole Qualitative tests either, but as long as it says undetected...I'm good.

And yes they did the pregnancy test on me also and I am 54 years old..had a tubal Lig. in 1989, post menopausal and single.  So only way I would need a pregnancy test is if I was the second Virgin Mary.....lol.  I guess its just standard procedure.  A good sense of humor goes along way while on tx.

Good luck and hang in there.

 



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55 yo female.  Diagnosed 9/2011 Geno 3A.  Treatment delayed because of 9 Month antibiotic tx because of TB Positive test. Began tx 9/20/2013 Interf/Riba 24 wks.  Week 4, 8 undet. 1 year.......UNDETECTED!
mallani


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Hi Dragon Slayer,

Just to add to Tig's explanation.

A Qualitative VL test is just expressed as positive or negative ( or Detected or Not Detected). No number can be given. The sensitivity depends on the test, and if you're talking 5 i.u./ml, this is the Quest Heptimax test using TMA (Transcription Mediated Amplification). LabCorp do a TMA test that is supposedly accurate down to 2 i.u./ml. These are expensive tests, and are not used outside the USA.

A Quantitative VL test gives the VL as a number. Again, the sensitivity depends on the Test, but most Labs now use the Roche Vers.2 PCR test which has a LLOQ (Lowest Limit of Quantification) of 15 i.u./ml, and a LLOD of 8 or 10. Thus you can be <15 Detected or <15 Not Detected. Two years ago, the LLOQ was 50 or 43, and some rural centres still use these tests. Another problem is the units- 1 i.u. should equal 2.5 viral copies, but not all Labs are standardised to this.

Basicly, most Hepatologists are not very interested in the TMA tests. As long as you're Undet., that's good enough. If you look at the Trials, most state being Undet. on a PCR test with a LLOQ of 15. Anyway, as you're not paying for the TMA, go for it. Cheers.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Tig


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Hi Hep C D,

All the test names can be overwhelming at times! Here is the easiest way to describe the differences between the Qualitative vs Quantitative tests:

Qualitative viral load tests These tests determine the presence of HCV RNA in the blood. This type of test is usually used to confirm chronic infection with HCV. If viral RNA is detected, a positive result is reported; if viral RNA is not detected, the test result is negative. This tests down to 5 IU/ml but doesn't provide a viral quantity, just detectable or undetectable results. 

Quantitative viral load tests These tests measure the amount of virus in one milliliter of blood. They are often used to assess whether or not treatment with interferon or interferon plus ribavirin and now the new DAA's, is likely to be successful and later, if treatment is working. This tests down to either <15 or <43 IU/ml depending on the lab and provides a viral quantity if detected.

Hope this helps!

Tig



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Hep-C Dragon Slayer


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Hello everyone,

I am on day 20 of the new tx (Sovaldi, Olysio and Riba).  For strange reasons (on day 14 blood test they ran HCG blood test versus HCV PCR to be known as second time they made this mistake in 6 weeks and good to know that as a male I am not pregnant, again ????)

I had a PCR test two days ago and tonight both my nurse and doctor called me.  My viral load is less then 15 showing results of no virus.  Everyone is ecstatic, happy and surprised.

Prior to tx viral load all most 5 million.

Week one around 2 million

Day 18 less then 15       

Doctor said next weeks test will be a Qualitative PCR test (more sensitive and measures down to value of 5 in viral load. Also this test states UND versus cumulative just measuring to 15 or less and not really stating UND. 

I need our blog gurus to help me understand this in laymen terms.   

 

 

 



__________________

GT 1A:  VL: 4,695,000, started treatment 1/6/13 with off label Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba     No Interferon due to Sarcoid  in liver and lungs.  Recent biopsy shows Cirrhosis level 5/6.  EOT 3/30/14. SVR 8 on 5/30/14
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