Am I positive for Hep C

[davesmith]

I have a question,  I was postive for >20 antibodies on a normal chemistry test. So I went back for more extensive testing. I think one was genone type testing. I was cleared as negative. Now I went an had another physical and they said I was postive again. This is all in the last month? What does this mean?
scared in MD

[Bill1954]

Good question, Dave;

You said “Now I went an had another physical and they said I was postive again.” It would be helpful to know what type of test methodology was used in the last test; however, based solely on the info you’ve provided above, it appears you have tested positive for antibody production, indicating previous exposure and infection. However, the genotype test is performed using Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), and is highly specific for active HCV. My guess is that you’ve contracted HCV, then cleared the virus with you own immune system. If this is indeed the case, you will most likely carry the antibodies for life, which isn’t known to present any clinical issues. You will probably want to ask your doctor for an additional NAT test for peace of mind. This test is generically known as a HCV serum PCR test. In your case, either a qualitative or a quantitative test should be sufficient.

A slightly wary congrats to you,

Bill

[Jakied]

Do you have a risk factor for hepatitis?  Blood transfusion/rough sex/drug use?

When you say >20, do you mean the signal on the screening test was >20?  And was the 'more extensive' test Riba or Pcr?

Clarify what tests you had and we can help.