commercial NK cell function test?

[WillowJ]

hi, my doctor has been trying to find a commercially-available test for NK cell cytotoxicity/function.

The MA found this one, NKC Functional Assay, FC (flow cytometry)

We called to see if they offered a bright/dim ratio, and the teck said no, no bright/dim or any sorts of ratios but it does tell about activity/whether the cells are actually working. Reports in LU30.

http://www.focusdx.com/focus/1-reference_laboratory/print_prod.asp?unitCode=20595

Will this be an acceptable test for NK cell function?

 

[Seven7]

I got mine at University of Miami school of medicine. Telephone:305-243-6288
NK cell enumerated (CD56+CD3-lympocyte)
NK cell activity

They call a study name so not sure is available to Doctors. But your Doctor can coordinate w Dr Rey (skype consult) and order it for you I would think.

 

[WillowJ]

thank you, Seven.

however my doc specifically ruled out going thru U of Miami. Wants to do a commercial test, since the Klimas test would be deemed experimental.

Maybe I should call Dr. Rey myself, however, and ask about whether insurances are covering their test and whether this one would be an acceptable substitute.

 

[Hip]

I have not had an NK function test myself, but I have these links and contacts, which might be of help:

Natural Killer Cells, where to get tested?

Full Cytokine/Chemokine/Immune Dysfunction tests: More than one lab is needed

 

[Kati]

Dr Kogelnik goes with Quest labs- The samples are sent in South California and needs to be sent at a specific time in order to be arriving within a specific time range.

From Vancouver to Miami, I don't think it would have been possible to send blood in time.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[WillowJ]

interesting, we could find only NK cell count at Quest. The techs there assured us that the count we got back was a function test, and then when we insisted it wasn't, they said they didn't have an actual function test.

thanks for the links, Hip; those look useful.

From Hip's link to the other forum, this seems to be another source for commercial test:
http://viracor.com/Test-Catalog/Detail/Natural-Killer-Cell-Function-Assay
(there seem to be others but I haven't looked them all up yet)

 

[Kati]

There is one lab in southern California doing it.

Between Dr Fletcher's lab and the Quest lab NK cell function, I can't compare between the 2.

Your other option would be WPI's lab which offers NK cell function and it's a commercial lab, however your challenge will be to get the sample in Reno on time.

i would also ask Dr Hyde where he semds his patients samles for that test.

 

[WillowJ]

thanks Kati

 

[Seven7]

Willow, My insurance did pay for the test.

 

[Hip]

hi, my doctor has been trying to find a commercially-available test for NK cell cytotoxicity/function

I am curious to know why your doctor wants this NK function test performed. Is it to help diagnose ME/CFS, do you know? Or for some other purposes?

 

[WillowJ]

I am curious to know why your doctor wants this NK function test performed. Is it to help diagnose ME/CFS, do you know? Or for some other purposes?

to help confirm my diagnosis, mainly

 

[Hip]

Interesting, WillowJ.

Is NK function regularly used as a test for ME/CFS, do you know (or does any else know)?

I am self-diagnosed with ME/CFS, and would be interested in tests that can help confirm or refute this diagnosis.

 

[WillowJ]

Interesting, WillowJ.

Is NK function regularly used as a test for ME/CFS, do you know (or does any else know)?

I am self-diagnosed with ME/CFS, and would be interested in tests that can help confirm or refute this diagnosis.

to the best of my knowledge, there are no tests "regularly" used in general practice. I'm not real sure what is done among the specialists, but I have the general impression that several of them do test NK cell function and some, also other immune things like cytokines.

NK cell function is one of the best replicated tests we would have. However it isn't unique to ME/CFS and it overlaps a little with "healthy" population (much like ANA in Lupus and RA, etc.). I would view it as one clue among many possible clues.