Guest guest Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Hi Amy, Most of the experts now only do PCR's on peripheral blood because they say it is much more accurate due to the fact that they can get a bigger sample of cells to examine. So it looks like you're doing fantastic! Congratulations and go celebrate. Tracey > I know this has been asked before, but darn if I can remember how > accurate that PCRs are. I had a Bone Marrow PCR back in June, and it > was .3 something, and then I sent a peripheral PCR two weeks ago and it > was .05. Now I'm hoping that this is what it really is, of course I > am! But I do know there is some discrepency in wether Peripheral PCRs > are the same as BM PCRS.........anyone care to hel me out? > > Amy B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 In order to get reliable PCR results, the following has to happen. 1. Use either peripheral blood or bone marrow for the testing. Don't mix them. 2. Have the testing done at the same lab each time. 3. Make sure they didn't change or alter their equipment since the last test. 4. Use the same size sample for the testing. Unless this happens, it is like comparing apples to oranges and you can have up to a 1 log difference in the results. From my own personal experience I recall back in July 2002 I was PCRU via an RT-PCR at the RVH in Montreal. One month later I was tested at the Civic in Ottawa and it showed the presence of M-bcr(p210):b302. A month later I was tested on the dreaded German machine in Mannheim and the PCR came back as 0.55. These days I get my testing done at a private lab in Montreal. My last 2 PCR tests were 0.012 % and 0.028 %. I don't feel that there is any significant difference in these two results. There would have to be at least a 1 log difference (increase) before I would take notice. In between these 2 PCR tests done in Montreal, I had a PCR test done at the PMH in Toronto. This was done as part of an initiative by Novartis to help standardize PCR testing in Canada. The result was reported as a 2.97 log reduction. Enough said about the standardization process when they can't even report in the same units. So where are we now. Back to apples and oranges if you are trying to compare results from 2 different labs. My plan is to try and stick with the lab in Montreal hoping that the testing will be consistent. A PCR of 0.05 is a fabulous result anywhere you can get it. Congratulations! Zavie [ ] PCR Reliability? I know this has been asked before, but darn if I can remember how accurate that PCRs are. I had a Bone Marrow PCR back in June, and it was .3 something, and then I sent a peripheral PCR two weeks ago and it was .05. Now I'm hoping that this is what it really is, of course I am! But I do know there is some discrepency in wether Peripheral PCRs are the same as BM PCRS.........anyone care to hel me out? Amy B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Zavie I was wondering if the blood sample I have taken by s special requisition every couple of months and sent to Montreal was normal. I wondered why it could not be done at the Lab in Halifax, Only one place can take it and they have to ship it within an hour or so and it should arrive in Montral ASAP or so I am told. I am wondering what type of test it is as it has nothing except shipping orders and who pays on the requisition. I will be having this special test on or before the 27 of this month, but every monday I have regular blood taken, last monday WBC 5.1 Plat 33,000 and Hem 121,000.. but the test for montreal has nothing I can see on it.. just wondering Skip it is only with the heart one sees rightly what is essential is invisible to the eye --- Zavie <zmiller@...> wrote: > In order to get reliable PCR results, the following > has to happen. > > 1. Use either peripheral blood or bone marrow for > the testing. Don't mix > them. > 2. Have the testing done at the same lab each time. > 3. Make sure they didn't change or alter their > equipment since the last > test. > 4. Use the same size sample for the testing. > > Unless this happens, it is like comparing apples to > oranges and you can have > up to a 1 log difference in the results. > > From my own personal experience I recall back in > July 2002 I was PCRU via an > RT-PCR at the RVH in Montreal. One month later I was > tested at the Civic in > Ottawa and it showed the presence of > M-bcr(p210):b302. A month later I was > tested on the dreaded German machine in Mannheim and > the PCR came back as > 0.55. > > These days I get my testing done at a private lab in > Montreal. My last 2 PCR > tests were 0.012 % and 0.028 %. I don't feel that > there is any significant > difference in these two results. There would have to > be at least a 1 log > difference (increase) before I would take notice. > > In between these 2 PCR tests done in Montreal, I had > a PCR test done at the > PMH in Toronto. This was done as part of an > initiative by Novartis to help > standardize PCR testing in Canada. The result was > reported as a 2.97 log > reduction. Enough said about the standardization > process when they can't > even report in the same units. > > So where are we now. Back to apples and oranges if > you are trying to compare > results from 2 different labs. My plan is to try and > stick with the lab in > Montreal hoping that the testing will be consistent. > > A PCR of 0.05 is a fabulous result anywhere you can > get it. Congratulations! > > Zavie > > > > > > [ ] PCR Reliability? > > > I know this has been asked before, but darn if I can > remember how > accurate that PCRs are. I had a Bone Marrow PCR > back in June, and it > was .3 something, and then I sent a peripheral PCR > two weeks ago and it > was .05. Now I'm hoping that this is what it really > is, of course I > am! But I do know there is some discrepency in > wether Peripheral PCRs > are the same as BM PCRS.........anyone care to hel > me out? > > Amy B. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 HI Skip, The test you're having sent to Montreal is most likely the PCR test. Did you happen to see the name of the lab on the requisition or the address? The lab that has done our PCR's in Montreal is called " PRO-DNA Diagnostic " or in French " PRO-ADN Diagnostic " and it's located on Boul. de l'Assomption. There are only a couple of labs across Canada that are capable of doing reliable PCR's and this lab in Montreal is one of them. I'm not aware of any lab in the Maritimes that has the ability to do them so that's probably why yours are being shipped to Montreal. Do you happen to know who's paying for your tests? Previous to July 1st, Novartis was paying for them but since July 1st they've stopped funding them and it's now up to the patient to pay for it if they want it. I'm not sure if any Provincial health plan has yet agreed to cover the cost so I'm very curious to know if Newfoundland is willing to pay for it.....could give me some amunition when I pester the Ontario Government if Newfoundland has already agreed to pay for it Take care, Tracey > > > In order to get reliable PCR results, the following > > has to happen. > > > > 1. Use either peripheral blood or bone marrow for > > the testing. Don't mix > > them. > > 2. Have the testing done at the same lab each time. > > 3. Make sure they didn't change or alter their > > equipment since the last > > test. > > 4. Use the same size sample for the testing. > > > > Unless this happens, it is like comparing apples to > > oranges and you can have > > up to a 1 log difference in the results. > > > > From my own personal experience I recall back in > > July 2002 I was PCRU via an > > RT-PCR at the RVH in Montreal. One month later I was > > tested at the Civic in > > Ottawa and it showed the presence of > > M-bcr(p210):b302. A month later I was > > tested on the dreaded German machine in Mannheim and > > the PCR came back as > > 0.55. > > > > These days I get my testing done at a private lab in > > Montreal. My last 2 PCR > > tests were 0.012 % and 0.028 %. I don't feel that > > there is any significant > > difference in these two results. There would have to > > be at least a 1 log > > difference (increase) before I would take notice. > > > > In between these 2 PCR tests done in Montreal, I had > > a PCR test done at the > > PMH in Toronto. This was done as part of an > > initiative by Novartis to help > > standardize PCR testing in Canada. The result was > > reported as a 2.97 log > > reduction. Enough said about the standardization > > process when they can't > > even report in the same units. > > > > So where are we now. Back to apples and oranges if > > you are trying to compare > > results from 2 different labs. My plan is to try and > > stick with the lab in > > Montreal hoping that the testing will be consistent. > > > > A PCR of 0.05 is a fabulous result anywhere you can > > get it. Congratulations! > > > > Zavie > > > > > > > > > > > > [ ] PCR Reliability? > > > > > > I know this has been asked before, but darn if I can > > remember how > > accurate that PCRs are. I had a Bone Marrow PCR > > back in June, and it > > was .3 something, and then I sent a peripheral PCR > > two weeks ago and it > > was .05. Now I'm hoping that this is what it really > > is, of course I > > am! But I do know there is some discrepency in > > wether Peripheral PCRs > > are the same as BM PCRS.........anyone care to hel > > me out? > > > > Amy B. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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