Week 4 test

[sally123684]

Hey everyone,  Thanks for the feedback so here's what I got going on.   Started tx on Oct 2 with first shot.  I will take my 4th one this friday Oct 23.  I do have a dr appointment Nov 4 but that will be after my 5th shot.  Dr did say he wanted to run blood work then BUT Will this be too late to run the PCR Test??  I think you guys said the PCR test needs to be done the week after my 4th shot but before my 5th one.  If this is correct, i will contact my dr and schedule the test for next week.  Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly.....  PCR test needs to be done after 4th shot but  before 5th?????//

[Bill1954]

Have we thoroughly confused you yet :o)?

[Bill1954]

The Heptimax test from Quest diagnostics is a very good test for your current needs.

If Quest diagnostics is unavailable, another option is the NGI Quantasure LC 140639, from Labcorp. This tests to 2 IU/mL.  Do not confuse this test with the less expensive HCV NGI Ultraqual LC 140609; this can be used once you become undetectable; see this link for more on this subject:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Lab-Corp-no-longer-offering-10-PCR/show/772286

Good luck—

Bill

[meakea]

Since you take your shots on Fridays, schedule the lab draw for late Thursday or early Friday (but before you take the 5th shot).  Don't schedule it early in the week...you want that 4th shot to have gone the distance.  This is what I was told to do.

[nygirl7]

I agree if you can get an appointment switch it but if you can't - one week either way isn't going to make too big a difference unless for some reason you intend to try and stop treatment early.

And make sure when you get the copy of the blood work request in your hand that it does say the PCR on it.  Docs do bloodwork every time you go but often don't include the PCR test with the CBC and liver panel.

[jdwithhcv]

Hi Sally.  Yes, the blood should be drawn after shot 4 but before shot 5.  Call your doctor and ask if you can just pick up a lab slip for the test - don't wait til your appointment.  The test you need is HCV RNA PCR quantitative.  Tell your doctor to have a lab slip left for you at his office - then you can pick it up and go to the lab (Quest or your local hospital or whatever lab you use)  If it's Quest, ask for HCV RNA PCR Heptimax.  It is sensitive down to 5 copies, and much better than a less sensitive test.

Let us know what happens.  Good luck, I'm hoping your result will be UND!

jd