Potential for a false positive anti body test?

[MysterySeattle]

Hi,

I just found out this morning that I tested positive for the Hep C antibody.  I was going in for a routine check and was very surprised to find this.  Since then I have done hours of research online but still have a few questions from people with experience with this.

My test came back with a value of 1.3.  That seems very low to me, and I read that anything less than 3.8 has a high chance of being a false positive, since 80% of positives come in at over 8 on the range.  

I haven't ever had a tattoo, blood transfusion, or done intravenous drugs, so I'm not in a high risk group.  

I read somewhere that 78% of positives below the 3.8 value end up being negative on the reba test, and negative for HCV as well.  Does anyone know if it's really that high when you have a low value like I do at 1.3?

Thank you so much, I'm trying not to freak out!

[MysterySeattle]

Thank you for the response.  Hopefully I end up testing negative as well.  

If I've tested positive for the antibodies, but negative on the PCR does that mean I'm good to go and could continue social drinking.  I'm not talking about just getting wasted all the time, but every once in a while partying with friends.  And the occasional glass of wine with dinner.  Aww well, guess I just have to wait and see right now.  I don't want to be stupid and cause additional damage, but it's just going to really change part of the way I have fun with my friends, it would make me healthier anyway I guess!

[hcvJames]

You are assuming you could have lived a "normal life" of fairly constant drinking OR after 20 years of drinking with Hep C there would not be a heavy, heavy, price to pay at the end. Not knowing is not the same as not causing serious damage, not knowing is not the same as not having.
Not judging, just no need to get misty-eyed about having to stop. First though you have to find out if you are infected. Here's to a negative on the Hep C test.

[MysterySeattle]

How do people deal with not drinking.  If I had found out about this 20 years from now like a lot of people do, I could have just lived a normal life.  I'm not an alcoholic, but social drinking is a fairly large part of my social life at 26.  I love wine, and my buddies and I like to partying sometimes.  I even just finished planning my buddies bachelor party.  It's just a major bummer to think I won't be able to drink at all.  But if I hadn't found out for 20 years I would have been drinking anyway, it's just a strange thing.

[MysterySeattle]

Thanks for the answer.  I've already had the PCR test ordered, as well as another antibody test (though it appears that one wasn't neccessary).  I've also had the liver enzyme test to see if the enzymes are already in my bloods stream.  

Even if I am negative this experience has definitely opened my eyes up to this terrible disease.  I've read some of the reports of what the tx does to people and it's frightening.  Hopefully they will come up with better drugs with less severe side effects soon.

If I am positive, I might just wait 10 years or so to see if they can come up with some better alternatives.  I'm 26, and I'd guess that if I am positive, the low value I had might indicate the infection was recent and the antibodies are just building.  So I'd have some time to wait and see what happens.

At the same time it could be good to clear this out asap.  That way I don't have to tell every potential girlfriend in my future that I've got this.

[copyman]

that is a low result and may indicate a false positive. you will need a PCR test to see if you are indeed negative.
Good luck

[MysterySeattle]

My other question is once you are positive for HCV would the value normally just skyrocket up to a higher number right away, or could the 1.3 be indicative of a newer infection that just hasn't produced a lot of antibodies yet?