Hi Paul
It is a coincidence that you are enquiring about PCR testing since I also had some questions following my recent appointment at Llandough - I would be interested to know if Anne's experience is the same as mine since we are both being treated by the same collection of Haematologists albeit at different sites. [I wonder if this is the right plural collective noun for Haematologists?? :-). Very facetious, sorry, I digress....]
My consultant, who is I understand Clinical Director for Haematology in Cardiff, told me that my PCRs would be done from the marrow, not the blood, and he would be continuing to do PCRs from BMAs every 3 months until, hopefully, I reach a 3 log reduction. Currently at 1.9 log. He didnt mention what would happen after 3 log.
As for qualitative negative vs quantitative 3 log - I'm definitely no expert and have a lamentably poor understanding of the whole thing, but wouldn't the maths of this suggest that it could be something to do with the sensitivity of the testing?? Quantative 3 log may be more sensitive than the qualitative test used previously.....
I have also heard others far more experienced in PCR results than I am, talk about PCRs bouncing around at very low levels. I would have thought this also could include negative to 3 log and back again, but once again I don't know enough to make an informed comment really.
What information was Anne given about testing in Cardiff?
Regards, Janet
