User

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
April 19, 2024, 10:31:49 am

Login with username, password and session length


Search

Forums Index

Stats

Members
  • Total Members: 6307
  • Latest: golfer
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55125
  • Total Topics: 4851
  • Online Today: 84
  • Online Ever: 1314
  • (June 22, 2016, 05:23:42 am)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 55
Total: 55

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: 4 Weeks Lab Results Good news!  (Read 16352 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Pete

  • Member
  • Posts: 110
4 Weeks Lab Results Good news!
« on: April 07, 2015, 09:50:37 pm »
Hello, I hope everyone is doing well on their treatment journey.

I received my CBC results and everything is stable. Liver enzymes are all well within normal range.

During my blood draw (04-06-16) I inquired as to what test were being conducted this visit. The technician showed me the vials. 2 were marked CBC and 2 were marked QPCR, which I presume is to measure my V/L.

Upon reviewing my labs results today "online", There was no mention of QPCR results, not even "results pending". I'm wondering if the QPCR test may have been denied my insurance co.  I know this test is expensive and I just had it performed about 8 weeks ago.  I was informed pre-treatment that V/L was to be checked at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. With post treatment lab tests to follow beyond that.

I sent a message to the nurse in charge of my treatment to inquire.  I hope to learn more tomorrow, but I find this a bit unsettling at this point. I'm really anxious to know how I am responding to treatment.

Thoughts?
« Last Edit: April 08, 2015, 08:36:01 pm by Pete »
Logged

Offline Karen3717

  • Member
  • Posts: 28
Re: Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 10:17:42 pm »
Hi Pete,
I have worked in the medical field for the past 35 yrs.  Some of those yrs in clinical lab setting but for the past 15 yrs, I have been working as a practice mgr for a physician.  I have never heard of an insurance company denying a lab procedure that was ordered by your doctor.  Medicare does have some "limited coverage tests" where there must be an appropriate diagnosis and/or it is limited by frequency. If your insurance is a commercial plan they can refuse to pay for it,but not deny you the test.

I am curious as to why the test didn't say,"HCV Quantitative by PCR" instead of just QPCR.  Yes, that is the test that measures VL.  My experience with that test has been that it can take longer than routine tests like CBC, liver enzymes.  More specialized testing is usually set up on a production schedule such that the testing is done in a "batch". So, the test may only be performed on certain days of the week.  My labs are scheduled to be done at the same intervals as yours.  I know how unnerving it can be to wait on the test results.  Hang in there, hopefully you will have an explanation tomorrow.  Hope my reply was helpful.  Karen
Logged
Transfusion 1982; Multiple accidental needlesticks; healthcare worker
(+) HCV antibody 1991
Genotype 1a
2001-Pegintron/Ribavirin 48 wks. Relapse 2mo post tx
2015-VL 316,000
Fibrosure-F2
Started Harvoni 3/13/15
2 weeks:  HCV PCR <15-DETECTED
4 weeks: HCV PCR <15-DETECTED
8 weeks: HCV PCR <15-DETECTED
12 weeks:  HCV PCR: NOT DETECTED!
4 Weeks EOT: HCV PCR:  NOT DETECTED!
12 Week post TX:  HCV PCR NOT DETECTED!

Offline BubbaT

  • Member
  • Posts: 267
Re: Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 10:59:08 pm »
Hi yall,

My insurance uses lab corp, the turnaround is 10-14 days for a VL.
How long has it been since the blood draw?
Logged
Age 57 male
Infected late 70's
Diagnosed 95
1a, 2 prev biopsy 95, 2004
Ct 2007, 2015
Treatment Naive
F4 A3. Fibrosure/ CT 2-5-15. Ammonia 222
VL 2.2 mil.
Started Harvoni  3-3-15. 12weeks, finished 5-26-15
4 week VL undetected
12 week EOT undetected

Offline atomic dog

  • Member
  • Posts: 160
Re: Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 11:04:28 pm »
I'm on Kaiser and it takes 4-5 days to get a viral load test result. So maybe it's as simple as that: it ain't ready yet.
Logged
Infected 1969, dirty needle
Geno 1a
Stage 2 fib, some necrosis
TX naive
1/29/15 ALT61; AST43
2/16/15 Started Harvoni; VL 1.5 m;
2/19/15 ALT40; AST24
2/29/15 ALT29; AST25
3/9/15 ALT28; AST25; 
3/9/15 < 20 IU/mL (3 wks) HCV RNA remains 'detected'
3/24/15 ALT30; AST25;
3/24/15 <20 IU/mL (5 wks) HCV RNA
4/10/15 <20 IU/ml (7 weeks) HCV RNA
4/20/15 ALT36; AST27
4/20/15 UND
5/11/15 UND (EOT); ALT33; AST25
6/11/15 UND; ALT 34; AST 29
8/14/15 UND
11/15/15 SVR, 24-wk EOT

Offline Bituman

  • Member
  • Posts: 157
Re: Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2015, 11:12:48 pm »
I think Karen has it exactly right, it's all in the scheduling and time it takes to run the tests.  I do all my labs at around 6:30 AM.  Routine results are normally posted on line by 10 AM.  Viral load typically gets posted around 9 PM same day.  It's so nice to have a patient portal to view results and not have to wait.  Good luck!

Bob

Logged
Age = 59, male, infected likely 1975
DX 07/07 GT 1a
Biopsy 2007:  GR 1, stage 0, HAI = 2/18
Since 2007:  1.48 MM < VL < 11 MM, avg = 5.64 MM
IL28B=CT
1/26/15, AST=43, ALT=55, VL=3.59 MM
2/5 Start Harvoni 12 weeks; Treat naive
2/20 AST=29, ALT=24, VL=59
3/6 AST=29, ALT=25, VL<15
3/19 AST=24, ALT=22, VL=undet
4/3 AST=29, ALT=25, VL=undet
4/30 EOT, AST=22, ALT=20, VL=undet
5/29 EOT+4, AST=20, ALT=19, VL=undet SVR
7/24 EOT+12, AST=23, ALT=18, VL=undet SVR
10/16 EOT+24, AST=22, ALT=17, VL=undet SVR

Offline Pete

  • Member
  • Posts: 110
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2015, 11:18:52 pm »
The print on the vial was very tiny.  I could barely read it.  I may have missed all of the identifying label.

I suspect I'm being premature on my insurance concern.  I expected my provider website would have stated "results pending" which I have seen with some of the CBC results.  It's most likely, as mentioned, just not available yet.  Yeah the patient portal is great. 

I'll try to chill out and wait to hear from my provider. 

I have to say that when I first started the Harvoni, I figured there was no way it was going to work out for me.  But after reading so many who achieved SVR, I believe I've got a decent shot at a cure after all these years.  Just getting a little over anxious for results I guess.  Thanks everyone!

Best,
Pete
Logged

Offline Ledoc01

  • Member
  • Posts: 37
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2015, 11:40:09 pm »
Hey Pete,

I had the full panel at the same time as my 4 week VL also. I got the results the next day for all but the VL. The VL result took about 4 or 5 days.

While sadly there is no level of st00pid I would put past an insurance company it'd be pretty odd even for them to deny a test at this point in time. I'm sure it's all good :-)
Logged

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2015, 11:45:49 pm »
I live in the country. It takes a week for the VL tests to be reported on here.
Logged
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2015, 02:52:17 am »
I get my routine tests CBC, CMP, and such in 2 or 3 days the Viral load takes about a week
Logged
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Long_Haul

  • Member
  • Posts: 161
  • Slayed the Dragon
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2015, 09:16:19 am »
Depending on the institution submitting the tests, you may be experiencing a policy that restricts certain results from being released until reviewed by the requesting Doc. I worked at a hospital that has this policy and when my blood work is done, I don't see the results of the PCR posted until I have had a call from the DR's office.
My GI nurse calls the day after they do the test with the PCR results.
I have two portals I can look at and my Primary gets results the same day the test is run and sometimes post them for me and send an email letting me know to look. (they run PCR 3 times a week in batches). 

I know they don't post any serious results unless my GI has reviewed it.

They do the same for biopsies and cancer screens. They want to know how the patient reacts either on the phone or face to face. 

As has also been stated earlier, when they had to send the PSR sample out, it took a week to ten days to get results.

Wait, wait, wait.....that is why they call us patience   :D (patients)

AL
Logged
Genotype 1A

Diagnosed 1989
Biopsy-cirrhosis stage 4 2000, no starting VL this round

3 rounds of Int+Rib
(Combo/48wks,Peg/26 Wks,Triple with Incivek/16wks)
UND with Incivek, Relapsed
Started 12 weeks Harvoni and Rib Jan 2nd,2015
4 weeks Undetected
8 weeks Undetected!
EOT at 12 weeks Undetected
EOT at 24 weeks STILL UNDETECTED
Completed TX Mar 26th,2015

EOT plus 4 weeks UNDETECTED
EOT plus 12 weeks UNDETECTED !!!!!!!!!!! I am DONE!

NO LONGER a member of the "WAITING GANG"

Offline chino1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 117
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2015, 02:49:45 pm »
Pete, it's not uncommon to get your viral load results a little later.  Many labs only run those once a week vs. once daily for CBC, etc.  I've experienced the same results in delays.
Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2015, 03:08:43 pm »
Yeah I was a bit surprised that I was notified I had relapsed last year by automated message on MyChart that I had a new test result and when I open the lab result my viral load was about the same but just a bit higher than before I started treatment. Had to call the office the next day to ask "OK now what?"
Logged
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Ledoc01

  • Member
  • Posts: 37
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2015, 03:36:38 pm »
Wow Lynn, that's just wrong. Reminds me of how I found out I had HCV; a voice mail..."Hi dude, this is doctor personality, you have hepatitis C"...click

Leaving me to go wth? Not like it was anything to be concerned with right?

oy veh


Logged

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2015, 03:48:48 pm »
I found out I had hep c in the first place with the Friday afternoon mail. It was a letter from the blood bank saying I had tested positive for hep c. And of course on a Friday you can't call anyone to find out what the heck is going on.

Ah memories
Logged
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Pete

  • Member
  • Posts: 110
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results Good news!
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2015, 09:09:12 pm »
Looks like my initial concern about V/L testing at 4 weeks was unwarranted.  I was simply being impatient.  I got the results the today. Looks like a 2 day wait.

Here is the V/L results at 4 weeks:

HCV RNA Quantitative (PCR) 20 IU/mL

This is down from 4.5 million just a month ago.  The nurse messaged me with a big Congrats! Based on my response after 4 weeks, she stated she believed I would be undetectable on my next blood draw in 4 weeks. 

I'm obviously pleased the Harvoni is working.  But the reality of it is, this ain't over and I know it.   I plan to remain cautiously optimistic and hope my cirrhosis doesn't get in the way of SVR.

Regards,
Pete




 

Logged

Offline Bituman

  • Member
  • Posts: 157
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results -Question
« Reply #15 on: April 08, 2015, 09:15:40 pm »
Quote from: Ledoc01 on April 08, 2015, 03:36:38 pm
Wow Lynn, that's just wrong. Reminds me of how I found out I had HCV; a voice mail..."Hi dude, this is doctor personality, you have hepatitis C"...click

oy veh

Wow this is exactly how I found out back in 2007.  My then FP doctor ordered antibody test due to slightly elevated liver enzymes.  For a month I heard nothing back and just assumed that the HCV antibody test had come back negative.  But one day I decided on a whim to give the office a call.  As usual, nobody that answered the phone knew anything.  So I asked them to please call me back to give me a lab report.  A week later I get a voice mail message from the PA saying, "you test positive for Hep C, we need to refer you to a liver doc."  If I hadn't made that call on a whim, I probably would not know today I have (had?) HCV.

Now the rest of the story.  That was the last time I had anything to do with that doc and was mad at her for many weeks.  However, upon reflection I realized I possibly owed her my life.  The previous year I had turned 50 and she sort of badgered me into having a screening colonoscopy.  You guessed it, they found a pre-cancerous polyp that was so big that it required surgery to be removed.  They called it adenomatous polyp with dysplasia, or something like that. 

Bob
Logged
Age = 59, male, infected likely 1975
DX 07/07 GT 1a
Biopsy 2007:  GR 1, stage 0, HAI = 2/18
Since 2007:  1.48 MM < VL < 11 MM, avg = 5.64 MM
IL28B=CT
1/26/15, AST=43, ALT=55, VL=3.59 MM
2/5 Start Harvoni 12 weeks; Treat naive
2/20 AST=29, ALT=24, VL=59
3/6 AST=29, ALT=25, VL<15
3/19 AST=24, ALT=22, VL=undet
4/3 AST=29, ALT=25, VL=undet
4/30 EOT, AST=22, ALT=20, VL=undet
5/29 EOT+4, AST=20, ALT=19, VL=undet SVR
7/24 EOT+12, AST=23, ALT=18, VL=undet SVR
10/16 EOT+24, AST=22, ALT=17, VL=undet SVR

Offline atomic dog

  • Member
  • Posts: 160
Re: 4 Weeks Lab Results Good news!
« Reply #16 on: April 08, 2015, 11:04:37 pm »
Quote from: Pete on April 08, 2015, 09:09:12 pm
Looks like my initial concern about V/L testing at 4 weeks was unwarranted.  I was simply being impatient.  I got the results the today. Looks like a 2 day wait.

Here is the V/L results at 4 weeks:

HCV RNA Quantitative (PCR) 20 IU/mL

This is down from 4.5 million just a month ago.  The nurse messaged me with a big Congrats! Based on my response after 4 weeks, she stated she believed I would be undetectable on my next blood draw in 4 weeks. 

I'm obviously pleased the Harvoni is working.  But the reality of it is, this ain't over and I know it.   I plan to remain cautiously optimistic and hope my cirrhosis doesn't get in the way of SVR.

Regards,
Pete

Those are great results. Congrats. I'm all about the cautious optimism (also <20 Iu/ml), but my doc assures me that I'm on track and that my post 12-week tests are the important ones. Once again, congrats, Harvoni is doing its thing.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2015, 11:07:32 pm by atomic dog »
Logged
Infected 1969, dirty needle
Geno 1a
Stage 2 fib, some necrosis
TX naive
1/29/15 ALT61; AST43
2/16/15 Started Harvoni; VL 1.5 m;
2/19/15 ALT40; AST24
2/29/15 ALT29; AST25
3/9/15 ALT28; AST25; 
3/9/15 < 20 IU/mL (3 wks) HCV RNA remains 'detected'
3/24/15 ALT30; AST25;
3/24/15 <20 IU/mL (5 wks) HCV RNA
4/10/15 <20 IU/ml (7 weeks) HCV RNA
4/20/15 ALT36; AST27
4/20/15 UND
5/11/15 UND (EOT); ALT33; AST25
6/11/15 UND; ALT 34; AST 29
8/14/15 UND
11/15/15 SVR, 24-wk EOT
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.