I agree , have another test ordered by your primary care. This would really put me over the top if I were in your shoes!! I completely understand where you are coming from! Way too much work on your behalf to be this close and get this very weak expiation. As we all learn it in our best interest to be our own advocate. Good luck.
What do you think about the lab's explanation that "<25" means the same thing as "undetected
From what I'm told the test is finding bits of the virus or dead virus. If I were you I would have another PCR done from where ever possible just to rule out relapse.
Thanks all for your comments. I think we are all in agreement that there is something amiss with what I am being told. I only found out on Friday and will have to make some calls on Monday.
This is really disappointing, and looks like these doctors need a refresher course on what makes good science. They seem to be allowing the lab personnel to gloss over a questionable report without making an effort to really get to the bottom of it. My husband regularly publishes papers in scientific journals, and if medical journals have peer reviews that are as strict as other science journals, these doctors are going to be nailed when they try to publish these results. Unless they maybe do have a better answer but just haven't articulated it clearly to you. I'd try to be more demanding of a satisfying answer (if you have another person with you it might help), and if that doesn't work just get your PCP to order another PCR test for you and pay out-of- pocket if necessary. I'm crossing my fingers for you, hoping you are still truly UND.
I am not sure how much this will help but as far as terminology goes but with Triple therapy with Incivek, "target not detected" pretty much means UND.
For the purpose of assessing response-guided therapy eligibility, an “undetectable” HCV-RNA (Target Not Detected) result is required; a confirmed “detectable but below limit of quantification” HCV-RNA result should not be considered equivalent to an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result (reported as "Target Not Detected" or "HCV RNA Not Detected").
On the chart it says, "Undetectable (Target Not Detected) at Weeks 4 and 12" http://www.drugs.com/dosage/incivek.html
http://www.drugs.com/pro/incivek.html#S5.6
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below limit of quantitative RESULT <25 IU/ml
The way this term was explained to me ´★¸¸.☆ with the assay that I used´★¸¸.☆ (which is clearly not the same as yours so there is that huge caveat) is the expression means detected but the way that assay is designed cannot produce the actual number but it detects presence of the virus.
This is the way my doctor explained it to me when I said I wanted to test with a lower detection limit (other than the Taqman). He told m e if I was detected the test would say I am but it would be unable to calculate the actual amount of the virus. Plus, it would not say Not Detected if I were detected.
But you have two different examples from what is what? The same assay? I think even if at this point you hear an acceptable explanation you might always wonder. Is there a way you can have the Heptimax of the Quant at LabCorp?
My lab work is done right there at the clinic. Unsure of what machine they use.