meanwhile…. we are still trying to find a decent private and affordable lab in England that does what it says on the tin

Gaj,
You elegantly made the point my fog addled brain was trying to convey earlier. Thanks…

LG. Yes, if you reach UD before EOT you have a 97% chance of SVR.

Thanks, that’s hopeful indeed.

I’m not trying to argue here but I suspect we are asking the wrong question in a way that the Lab cannot understand which is why their answers appear unhelpful to us. They aren’t being difficult or secretive or anything like that, just talking a different language and not experienced in answering proactive patients who want as much information as possible.

I suspect the point Mike is making is similar to mine in that he has shown us examples of two tests both of which are Quantitative Reflex. If you look at the test titles it is the same test type but in one sample the result is Undetected and in the other case the result is <15.

Those are the results of the test. They do not mean the range of the test. That is not stated as it also wasn’t for DTs test result. I think the confusion is caused by comparing them to something like an ALT test which shows your result against a normal range for most people. There is no normal range for viral load, ‘normal’ is zero!

What DT is asking for is the accuracy of the VL test but note that the ALT test also doesn’t state how accurate it is. That is never quoted in the test results.

I can understand your concern.
My labs posted earlier were my 4 and 8 week tests. the GI said, in my case, she saw no need for another test until 12 weeks post tx-the “biggie”.

So, I imagine different labs in different countries have different protocols. It seems with my lab, its:
1. Qualitative-Is HCV RNA present? If its not-end of test. “Negative”
If “Positive”, go to step 2:

2. Quantitative- If the v/l is below the concentration level needed to measure, in my case, <15, then thats it. the notice from my PCP's nurse said my first test result was "unmeasurable" in her email. That was the same as "undetected" to her, but not to me. Unmeasureable is a great result, but the word I was waiting to see was "Negative".
I know it makes no sense, but there is something about it. Negative-not present. Undetected-not found.
They should get a big red stamp that says "Shit's Gone" and stamp it diagonally across all Negative/Undetected results.
M

They should get a big red stamp that says “Shit’s Gone” and stamp it diagonally across all Negative/Undetected results.

– Love it M !

So the question to the lab is: “Which (brand/model) assay test do you use for your quantatative PCR RNA test?”

Great – Thanks Gaj the word ‘assay’ is helpful

Didn’t know tests could go down to 10 , I doubt they have that here, local hospital is 12, so pretty good. Private companies have to be checked out, last test I did through one I spent hours on phone chasing results. It seems the way….They take the money and you do the work!

The thing is, we may seem like we moan here in England, but the truth is, regarding services of any kind, it seems to be the way of late, that there is plenty to moan about – Unfortunately. God knows how elderly people cope with it all.

Good morning
On this debate I seem to have have been misunderstood about the quality of the testing so……
I will restate:
My FIRST path aasay range was 30-10000000
I was <30
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
A week later I had TWO tests performed no NOT assay 30 plus
Lower limit 15 see my blog (Ariel takes the plunge)
Qualitative VL AND quantitative PCR RNA reported
Nothing seen on either

Zero
UND woohoo! Nothing will rock my boat now no talk of test assays etc etc nope

My GP rang labs
He located and wrote up the test request whilst on phone I sat there

I am not worried !!! Don't stress everyone it isn't worth the worry trust is good for the mind

I have even relapsed from Peg/inf I shouldn't have even been on at F0 and VL 400000! But NO I Am not anxious or concerned or worried or confused about the tests I had

I'm STOKED and I hope to hear more Stoke on here than worry
In my case at day 40 (now week 8 here)
The VL shows nothing
The PCR RNA shows UND
I believe I am clear and intend staying clear

I tried to write this in a consice way earlier on this thread but it seems people think I'm being tested still at assay 30+ NO!!!!
Please again reread my notes
I hope you can find a doctor who will assist with explanation
James and I talked about this prior to my second test as I also mentioned
I'm in Oz so I don't know the system in the UK and US but I say get both, and trust the qualitative UND
Ken, yes you made a good point re ranges as during peginf test ranges on my reports were ridiculously high assay eg 600- 10000000 whats the point of that but then that was three to four years ago now
Gosh this is getting way too stressful here !

I'm happy with my testing and quality of care.
At the end of the day ask Dr J to explain why you may see an unquantifiable result such as my first at day 25 (<30)
Then seek out testing as I did with support from medicos, because hell I was getting close and knew from my ALT AST I was going to clear imminently.
Hoping this makes perfect sense
No seeds of doubt in my garden

Hi Ariel,

I was aware that after seeking medical advice you had retested with a LLOQ 15 test, my fault for sloppy use of grammatical tense . I have edited my post to correct that.

You are right about a good doctor being able to explain all this information. Finding one that you trust and making sure you understand their advice (in whichever country you live) should be a far more important area of focus than looking for various tests and test labs by ourselves.