Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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More Refined Test??

Robbiesgirl
Robbiesgirl
Rob is now @ week 50. Levels are under - 2 tests in a row. Specialist wants him to do 6 months more tx. Our GP doctor is asking why treat more. His theory is if it is undetectable..maybe it's at 0..therefore no more tx. Specialist is talking about the "big" test at the end of 6 more months. What test is this and why wouldn't they do it now. I know there is under but is there also a dead level? Or does this dragon just sleep until he's ready to go again? Please help..we go back in mid Aug. and want to be prepared with our questions. Getting answers is like pulling teeth with her. Thanks.
Barb99999999
Barb99999999
I know what you mean, I cant help you because I dont know myself
deleted_user
deleted_user
This proprietary test is ordered by physicians to monitor and confirm hepatitis C viral infection and to demonstrate post-treatment resolution of the infection. Because the HEPTIMAX(TM) viral load test combines the new TMA technology with traditional quantitative viral load testing using branched DNA technology, it simplifies patient management by allowing physicians to order just one test to cover the complete range of possible viral load values from 5 IUs to 8.3 million IUA study published in the October 2000 issue of the journal ``Hepatology'' utilizing a hepatitis C qualitative version of the TMA test, showed it to be a better predictor of end-of-treatment resolution than the other methods.

The new test was developed by Quest Diagnostics at Nichols Institute and is offered exclusively through Quest Diagnostics' national laboratory network. The highly sensitive HEPTIMAX(TM) HCV assay utilizes reagents from Bayer Diagnostics, based on proprietary TMA technology made available through Bayer's exclusive agreement with Gen-Pro I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON THE WEB .......
Robbiesgirl
Robbiesgirl
Thank you for your responses. Dirt11, how does one know when to get the end of tx test. What's the point in continuing if he tests 0? Worthwhile asking when we make our 2 2/1 hr. treck to see the specialist in Aug.