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Hep C Ab Index/Anti-Hep C Antibodies test
Hi, I was diagnosed with Hep C about 4 yrs ago, have had 2 ultrasounds & routinely test my ALT (currently 12). My dr gave me an antibody test during my routine bloodwork, which came back positive of course (it always does) but this time it actually had a numerical value. Has anyone seen this in their tests? The note indicates that anything over 11.00 is 95% indicative of Hep C positivity. My score was 3.47. Does the number of antibodies have anything to do with anything, or is it mostly irrelevant, like viral load?
The ’3.47’ referenced sounds like a ‘signal to cut-off’ ratio; and helps distinguish from false positive antibody results. Once HCV infection has been diagnosed by HCV RNA by PCR, the antibody tests are pretty much pointless; if you are positive for virus, you’ll most likely always be antibody (seropositive) positive.
If you Google search ‘HCV signal to cut off ratios’ you’ll get all sorts of info on this subject; here’s a link that explains this:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/LabTesting.htm
If there is any doubt regarding your diagnosis, ask for your HCV RNA status; this should clarify any questions.
U/S scan is a very useful tool for imaging things like masses, and it can size organs as well as flow and diameter of the portal vein. It’s not particularly useful for determining current inflammatory activity or fibrosis of the liver, though.
Bill
If you Google search ‘HCV signal to cut off ratios’ you’ll get all sorts of info on this subject; here’s a link that explains this:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/LabTesting.htm
If there is any doubt regarding your diagnosis, ask for your HCV RNA status; this should clarify any questions.
U/S scan is a very useful tool for imaging things like masses, and it can size organs as well as flow and diameter of the portal vein. It’s not particularly useful for determining current inflammatory activity or fibrosis of the liver, though.
Bill
Viral load isn't irrelevant... it means the dragons are multiplying. It just doesn't indicate how much damage has been done to your liver. Have you ever had yours checked?
The number of antibodies isn't what you should be concerned about. You can also have normal ALT with damage occurring. I had liver panels done every year since 2001 and they all came back normal until this past January when I found out I have been infected since 1984 and stage 2 grade 2. This info was obtained via biopsy. I have read on here that ultrasounds can't see internal damage... like fibrosis.
You might want to have more testing.
The number of antibodies isn't what you should be concerned about. You can also have normal ALT with damage occurring. I had liver panels done every year since 2001 and they all came back normal until this past January when I found out I have been infected since 1984 and stage 2 grade 2. This info was obtained via biopsy. I have read on here that ultrasounds can't see internal damage... like fibrosis.
You might want to have more testing.
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