IS 6 MONTHS TOO LATE FOR AN IGM CORE ANTIBODY TEST TO BE EFFECTIVE??

[user123330]

My 6 months post possible exposure is in a few days and today I am taking an IgM core antibody test to confirm my previous HbsAg tests (8 weeks and 14 weeks).  I just need to know if the IgM test is still effective at 6 months?   I really appreciate the help!  

[user123330]

Thanks so much for your help!

[StephenCastlecrag]

You are correct. But I can tell you now that your total Anti-HBC will be positive if you had been exposed to HBV, whether you have fully recovered or become chronic. If you read my answer before, the Anti-HBc IgM test is used to determine whether you are in the middle of an acute Hepatitis B, it is useless outside the 6 months period of acute Hepatitis B.

[user123330]

So they told me the Total test looks for both the Igm and Igg but it doesn't differentiate between the two.  It gives one result for both of them.  Since the Igm disappears after 6 months and becomes Igg then this test should be ideal along with the HbsAb and HbsAg shouldn't it?  Even if it gave seperate results, after 6 months the Igm would be negative so the only one detectable is the Igg.  Is this correct?

[StephenCastlecrag]

I believe anti-hbc total and anti-hbc igm are two separate tests. The anti-hbc total test will not tell you whether anti-hbc igm is positive or negative.

[Rome70]

You should do the both -- total and igm

[user123330]

Just so I am sure before I order the test.  Is the anti-HBc test the Total Core Antibody test and does this include both the Igm and Igg?  

[user123330]

Just so I am sure before I order the test.  Is the anti-HBc test the Total Core Antibody test and does this include both the Igm and Igg? .

[user123330]

Just so I am sure before I order the test.  Is the anti-HBc test the Total Core Antibody test and does this include both the Igm and Igg?

[user123330]

Thanks.

[StephenCastlecrag]

That was sound advice, but since you are already at the end of the 6 month period post possible exposure, the usefulness of anti-Hbc Igm is diminished. It is only useful when you are in the middle of the 6 month period. After 6 months, Anti-HBc IgM will be negative and you are no wiser whether you had an acute infection, recovered or become chronic.

[user123330]

Thanks for the help.  I really appreciate it!

[stef2011]

if you test negative by 3-6 months definitely not infected, but in any case as an adult you ll clear it 99%, it is only babies at birth that can get it chronic or adult with compromised immune systems (drug users or immune suppressive therapies or pregnancy)

[user123330]

Thanks.  That makes sense.  So would these tests be more confirmatory at 6 months or after?  I am definitely getting vaccinated.  

[stef2011]

do not check hbsag only, you  mayhave hbv already in the past and cleared or chronic, you need full pannel of markers to define clearly what happened (hbsag, hbsab, hbcab igm, hbcab igg)

by the way you can also simply take hbv vaccine+immune globulins since hbsag is still negative

[user123330]

Thanks for your response.  Someone on here told me that my negative HBsAg test at 14 weeks gave me 95% certainty that I do not have Hep B and in order to know with 100% certainty I should repeat my HBsAg test and add an anti-HBc Igm test as a secondary confirmatory result if negative.  Could you share your thoughts on this?

[StephenCastlecrag]

In my opinion, the anti-HBc Igm test at this stage will serve very little purpose. Even if you are in the acute phase, you will still need to test when it has become chronic. So to me, it is always best to repeat your HBsAg, HBsAb tests 6 months after your initial test.