Hep C Antibody test level

[RebeccaMae1983]

My fiance had a HepC blood test done.

His results came back abnormal and it says Hepatitis C Antibody Level 8.76

Does this mean he has Hep C?  There is nothing more on the paper and we have no idea what it means.  

[Dee1956]

As everyone above had said, and quite well I think, the first test just means he has been exposed.  My husband also tested positive for the first test which showed he had been exposed, when the looked for the viral load on the second test there wasn't one.  He was one of the lucky ones who was able to clear it on his own.
I know that telling you two not to worry won't help however a positive result is possible.
Best of luck to both of you.
Dee

[RebeccaMae1983]

Thank you guys!  He has blood work Monday which I assume they will use for the actual testing to see if he has it.  

All this was done at the local VA so I have a feeling that is why it wasn't explained.  He is really upset and I know the next couple weeks are going to be awful for him.  

I am going to try and go with him so I can ask questions and actually get answers.

[pooh55811]

Oops, sorry. Here is the link:

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-c/tab/test

[pooh55811]

It is really unfortunate that no one in the medical office took the time to explain the test results to your boyfriend and to explain the future plan (more blood work).

A positive Hep C antibody test means only that he has been exposed to Hep C. It could also be a false positive.

If you follow this link (copy and paste it) you will see information on all of the tests used to determine if a person has been exposed to Hep C and/or if they have the actual active disease.

I know your boyfriend must be very distraught, anxious, and scared. We all were nervous wrecks when we were first diagnosed or told we had an abnormal test. That is a very normal reaction. Since we do not know if he actually has Hep C, if this is a false positive, or if he had acute Hep C and cleared it by himself, there is not much that can be done except wait for the results of the new tests.

However, hopefully he can try to calm his nerves and try not to get too frightened. (And I know that is much, much easier said than done.) Hopefully he won't have Hep C. If he does, it can be treated and the cure rate is very good.  

I wish you the best of luck and I surely hope his test is negative.  

[ceanothus]

It's hard to think of anything to add to your excellent reply. I guess I would just reiterate and emphasize that the test he had only measures the presence of antibodies, so it only can tell whether a person was ever exposed to the virus. Between 15-20% of exposed people are able to clear the virus just via their own immune system and carry only antibodies, no actual virus. In the rest of us the virus gains a foothold and becomes chronic active HCV, with the virus actively attacking liver cells and replicating itself. To determine whether he has an active HCV infection he will need to have an additional test that measures presence and quantity of HCV RNA. The important thing to look for in those test results is whether the viral RNA is detected (DET) or undetected (UND). The actual numbers aren't very significant except when used during treatment to determine effectiveness. Best wishes!

[RebeccaMae1983]

There was nothing else on the paper that was related to it.  His liver levels were normal and all his other blood work.

he called and was put on hold forever and was told by a nurse that the number didn't mean anything other than he needed more blood work done.

She said she number wasn't significant.  He is a nervous wreck and has to get blood drawn Monday afternoon then wait another week for the result.

[Idyllic]

Wow sorry no one is answering this. The reason I am a bit stuck is that are there *no* other words or phrases on the piece of paper? Maybe the word  "Signal-to-Cutoff" or the abbreviation, "S/CO"?

Usually the number is the % over or under that number that could be a false positive. Or how about this, are the words: reactive or non reactive on it?

Anyway, the antibody only means your boyfriend at some point has been exposed to the Hepatitis C Virus, not necessarily that he actually has the disease itself.

--> He might want to have the next test which is PCR for HCV RNA

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/PDFs/hcv_graph.pdf


How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?

HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.


Under what circumstances is a false-positive anti-HCV test result likely?

False-positive anti-HCV tests appear more often when persons at low risk for HCV infection (e.g., blood donors) are tested. Therefore, it is important to confirm a positive anti-HCV test with a supplemental test, such as RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay), as most false positive anti-HCV tests are reported as negative on supplemental testing.


Under what circumstances might a false-negative anti-HCV test result occur?

Persons with early HCV infection might not yet have developed antibody levels high enough that the test can measure. In addition, some persons might lack the (immune) response necessary for the test to work well.
**********In these persons, further testing such as PCR for HCV RNA may be considered.  
__________________________

Hopefully someone with more knowledge and assurance is sure to be along soon to clarify this.