Does anyone else had trouble to get the hbsag count test done in the US?

[itac]

I live in California, and have Anthem Blue Cross HMO. Currently assigned to Regal Medical Group. It seems like they are contracted with a lab called Quest Diagnostics, that run all the blood test work.

I went to my PCP a week and a half ago to get the follow-up test for hep b, after having the initial test diagnosis.
I asked for hbsag count, hbv dna count, hbeag and hbeag antibody (I already got the rest). They took my blood and sent it to Quest.

Yesterday I finally got the full report of that test, and it only had hbv dna count in ui/ml, but there was nothing about hbsag count or hbeag/hbeag antibody. I called my PCP office, the nurse who took the blood said to call to Quest to clarify the results if I think something is missing. I wasted 2 hours on the phone with 3 different people from Quest Diagnostics, none of them knew what I was talking about (hbsag in ui/ml, hbeag, hbeag antibody). They say they couldn't find these tests on their list of tests they provide. How is it possible? I would think such basic tests should be available, but I guess it's not the case with Quest? Did anyone else had to run blood work with this lab and ran into similar issues?

I asked them to have a technical person or a medical director to call me back about the tests that I want that were not "available".

Other tests I asked them that about that they didn't have:
Hepatitis A IgG antibody (to see if I've been exposed to the virus), the only have the IgM once which only checks for a recent exposure, but it's pointless cause what if I want to get the vaccination and need to know if I don't have the virus already? Doesn't make any sense...

Another test I asked them about that my GI asked me to get at their lab was "Fibrosis blood test" which they also couldn't find in their list.

I also wanted them to test for Hepatitis D to see if I got a co-infection, they said they only have "Hepatitis D virus RNA qualitative PCR" test... Not sure if that's the one that test for it or is it something else?

I didn't even get to ask them about the hbv genotype test... which my guess they wouldn't have that as well...

I will wait for them call from them to get clarifications, but feel free to leave your comments if you had similar experience. Thanks!

[terrywillbeok]

i need to double check on my report , i will let u know tomorrow. I have same insurance as u.

[terrywillbeok]

so u live in LA, have u done fibroscan?

[terrywillbeok]

this is for fibroscan in LA.  
  Address: 5901 W Olympic Blvd., Suite 401 Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am - 12:00pm & 1:30pm - 5:00pm
Call us at: 310-710-5220

[twinboys1girl4me]

The Hep A was: HEP A ANTIBODY, TOTAL and on the report the description says:

A positive result with total immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) indicates a previous exposure to Hepatitis A either through infection or immunization.  It does not define present activity of the virus.  For additional serologic interpretation, presence or absence of Hepatitis A IgM antibody may be clinically helpful.

I was vaccinated, so my Hep A was positive.  This test was through Quest and I believe the test code is 102562.

As for the D: the test was HEPATITIS D ANTIBODY, TOTAL and also HEPATITIS D Virus IgM ANTIBODY, EIA.  Both were negative and was also tested through Sonora Quest.  

I also was tested for C: HEPATITIS C ANTIBODY, which was non-reactive through Sonora Quest also.

You also shouldn't have any issues with the HBeAg and HBeAb, I've been tested through those many times with Quest and LabCorp.  You can do a search online and get the codes for the lab they are sending to in California.  I've done that before when nobody knew what was what.  Hope this helps.

[mer971]

I live in Nyc and either here don;t do it, such a ridiculous cheap test. If  you have chance to travel outside USA, or you can send it via Fedex or UPS if you can effort it. I did it last summer in Europe.

[itac]

"this is for fibroscan in LA.  
  Address: 5901 W Olympic Blvd., Suite 401 Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am - 12:00pm & 1:30pm - 5:00pm
Call us at: 310-710-5220 "

Thanks for the place. Assuming we have the same insurance, can I go to my PCP and ask him to get a refferal for this fibroscan place?" will it be covered by the insurance? Is there a co-pay I will need to pay for it? Also, is it like an MRI or is it CT? I'm asking cause I want to know if there is any radiation involved doing this...

Thanks so much, and let me know what lab/medical group you used to get the hbsag in ui/ml... I hope I can find something too in la...