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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What does VL of less than 15 mean

ElleeB
ElleeB
" I received the results today. My VL after 4 weeks is less than 15. I started with over 2 million. My doctor's appt. is Monday. What does less than 15 mean??? I think I saw something about that here at DS and that it is too low to give a number but the HCV is still detected. "
joemz20
joemz20
hi, the current testing technology cannot detect single digits of virus, so they can tell that you don't have more a load of more than 15, but that's as good as the tests are When i was going thru treatment the lowest they could detect was 43

basically, it means you're undetectable. I've been
hepcme
hepcme
means you are still detectable. undetectable is undetectable. almost for sure you will be undectable next blood draw or soon after as you are doing well.
healinghearts12
healinghearts12
Mine came back at 30 yesterday which means I'm still detectable. I fully expect to be undetectable with next blood test.
joemz20
joemz20
i don't agree with hepcme,

this is what my most recent test stated

HCV QUANT
joemz20
joemz20
last post wasnt complete, the blood results said
HCV Quant
joemz20
joemz20
My full response doesn't seem to post. Trying again

My lady blood results say
HCV quant
joemz20
joemz20
ah ha, whenver i put the less than sign it truncates the message

here we go

my last blood test says
HCV RNA less than 15
HCV RNA was not detected in this specimen.
The lower limit of quantitation of this assay is approximately 15 HCV RNA
IU/mL and the linear range is from 15 HCV RNA IU/mL to 100,000,000 HCV RNA IU/mL.

so, could you actually have a viral load of 10, sure. but the best blood test result you'll even get is LESS THAN 15. The tests don't have the ability to see 12 buggers

Has anyone ever gotten a test that says something more definitive?
joemz20
joemz20
If you achieve a viral load/HCV RNA or less than 15 for more than 6 months the doctors will consider you cured. "

just to expand on this, it's 6 months without taking medication

if the viral load hasn't gone above 15 in 6 months without the meds, then the virus doesn't exist
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's good news! It means that your HCV is above the detection level - which can be as low as 7 - but too low to actually count. That counts as undetectable.

It's important to understand that even if the test reported zero HCV in your system, there may be some, it's just below the minimum level of detection.

Either way, very good news for you!
Trissa01
Trissa01
Werty said it very well, that is also my understanding of it.
I prefer zero but not going to battle over numbers, if they declare less than 15 cured, so be it..
Go with whatever your dr says on this one.
lovefall
lovefall
My lab test reads:

HCV QUANT IU/ML NDT IU/ML NONE DETECTED
HCV QUANT, LOG IU NDT LOG IU/ML NONE DETECTED

A NEGATIVE RESULT DOES NOT RULE OUT A VIRAL LOAD BELOW THE DETECTION LIMIT OF THE ASSAY.
HCV VIRAL ANLAYSIS PERFORMED USING ABBOTT FDA APPROVED REAL TIME PCR (METHOD SENSITIVITY 12-100,000,000 IU/ML, 1.08-8.00 LOG IU/ML

That is what my "undetected" lab tests completely says - when you are less than 15, that is FANTASTIC and it is CERTAINLY a great lab result.....I was at that for 15 weeks until I finally got the undetected.....Congrats!!