Yes Dan, I have posted this for detectable at EOT and still cured.

Among patients treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, with or without GS-9669 or GS-9451, 100% had HCV RNA LLOQ but detectable (in the at 14-64 IU/mL range) at the end of treatment achieved SVR12, for a negative predictive value of 0%.

Dan what week are you at in treatment and when did you have your last VL test done I would have waited at
least another two weeks between tests.

You know, I have to say again I think comparing those on Twinvir and their VL results at any time throughout
the 12 weeks is not helpful to anyone least of all the people taking those drugs.

VL testing is not a competitive sport I really would like to ask some posters to be mindful this can
be a very stressful time for those waiting on results.

Hey Sirch, I know what you mean. but then again, who can we share our news with apart from each other?
It’s a tricky balance. There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to it does there, I guess length of infection, original VL, age and just our immune systems all play a part, Plus if we get a cold, dont sleep enough pre rest, it may all play a part, who really knows? Worth bearing in mind . Maybe after these treatments are studied, some kind of vague pattern will emerge? Until then, all we can do is our best and hang on in there

Although I guess we’re not the most patient types ha ha

Thanks Sir, I agree with your comments.

I suspect that as a group we are placing too much emphasis on VL results and doing the tests too often.

Probably testing at week 4 to confirm a large drop from commencement of Tx is sufficient to ensure the meds are working and give us confidence with another test at 8/12 or 12/24 depending on length of Tx to confirm we haven’t developed resistant viruses which would show as a very significant rebound.(Note that I am not even suggesting we need to be UND at those points based on the research)

In my case I was concerned when the lab only gave me a detected result at 4 weeks so it was a relief to come in as <15 on retest. My next test will be at 12 weeks (I'm on 24 week Tx) but even if I had tested a couple of hundred at 4 weeks I like to think I would have been prepared to wait till 12 weeks for the next result as all the research says that we are only looking for a significant drop to confirm the meds are working.

So what is a significant drop? Basically anything where we go from hundreds of thousands or millions down to a couple of hundred or less would qualify. A significant rebound would be the same in the opposite direction.

The above is my understanding of the science which I like on a rational level but I also have an emotional side so can understand the need to have it confirmed that we as a person are doing really well. But as you say it isn't a competition or race to get there first, we just need to reach the finish line together, at low levels of detection.

Edit: For most of us the second test for resistance is not really a requirement but in my case with prior exposure to Dac it will give me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I pass it.

Hi Dan,

Sorry, my post wasn’t criticism of you, just a general comment on how we sometimes seem to get caught up in the testing and results around here.

And I hear you on accepting free tests when they are offered. I went to my GP to request vitamin D & B12 testing and he suggested full bloods and LFTs as well. My response was that I didn’t really see the need because I could feel the improvements but he said that he wanted to see the results so I wasn’t going to argue with that!

Yes as you say, I also suffer from “What If?”

Dan, I understand your concern, I too hope I am VL undetected by 8 weeks. But you were VL 12 at 4 weeks! That is very good, so maybe you are VL 2 or 3, with 4 weeks to go. I told you my plan is undetected plus 4 weeks, but I am only going to extend to 16 weeks at most and then see what happens after 12 EOT, because as noted the VL does still go undetected after treatment ends. At that point I would retreat with this drug and the newer drug simeprevir or something like that.

Dan, you have been UND since 4 weeks. Dr Freeman have tested it where many have been UND at one week.

Got my week 8 VL result from the different hospital and it is UND. Should I still take extra 4 weeks?

Yay – So pleased for you!

The nurse is surprised, as she thinks that my immune system got read of the virus. 

Weeeeellll that is quite possible no?

Great news Dan.