Hapatitis C

[AishaShahid]

what is the meaning of (lower detection limit is 15 IU/ml)  in Qualitative HCV PCR?

[AishaShahid]

thank you :)
for your help

[Shdwsldy]

Just to clarify.  Hubby's doctor uses the Abbott test that goes to 12 IU/ml. (http://www.abbottmolecular.com/products/infectious-diseases/realtime-pcr/hepatitis-hcv-assay.html).  The test can still detect the virus at levels lower than 12, but it cannot quantify the exact number of copies of the virus.  This was the case for the hubby's 4 week test.  It came back positive but unquantifiable.  His 6, 8, and 12 week viral loads all came back undetected.

[can-do-man]

All the 15 means is that is how low the test would go. If you were positive for Hep C your viral load would be higher then 15... There is no test that goes to zero

[AishaShahid]

but there is shown 15 IU/ml?
and sensitivity 99% and specificity also 99%

[can-do-man]

No viral load no treatment

[AishaShahid]

its means no need of treatment

[can-do-man]

That is how sensitive the test goes down to, which is really pretty low. If one is <15 the  odds are they are und unless it states <15 detected...

[AishaShahid]

help me plz who knows