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potential false positive hep c antibody test-please help

I just received a positive hep c antibody test. The cut-off was <1.00 and my result was 1.04. I am extremely worried and have taken a quantitative pcr w/rfx test, I'm awaiting the results. My liver enzymes were also elevated (which makes my doc think it is not a false positive) My AST enzymes were at 147 with the range at 10-30. I have read that lifting weights can cause this to rise, and I did lift weights 3 days prior to this test when I hadn't before. Any input on my results? I am going crazy over this. I am a young mom with two boys and ZERO risk factors other than one incident that I will explain below. My doctor told me not to kiss my kids and to use a different toilet which is making me so much worse. The only potential risk factor (which is why I got tested in the first place) was because a vascular surgeon I was going to was injecting the varicose veins on my legs with a needle (called sclerotherapy), accidentally pricked his own finger through his glove, and continued using that needle on me. I am going out of my mind. Any input is sooooo appreciated. Thank you!
Best Answer
1747881 tn?1546175878
This is from Quest, their test actually test down to 10 IU/ml, trust me, with the super low EIA score and the negative PCR, you do not have hep c

Question 2. What do these test results mean: “<15 Detected” or “<15 Not Detected”?

A “<15 Detected” means the assay was able to detect HCV RNA but was not able to accurately quantitate the viral load. A “<15 Not Detected” means the assay did not detect HCV RNA (Target Not Detected).This test is performed using the COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® Taqman® HCV Test v2.0. The lowest viral load this assay can accurately quantify is 15 IU/mL, but the limit of detection is 10-13 IU/mL. Therefore, we can qualitatively report detection even if the viral load is under 15 IU/mL.

http://education.questdiagnostics.com/faq/FAQ22v1
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Avatar universal
I saw the other gastro doc today. His partner referred him since he is more well versed in Hep C.

He did confirm that I do not have the hep c virus and that my 2nd PCR was undetected, and I am so thankful for that. Thank you for all of your support and info, and dealing with my fear. I truly appreciate you.

I am curious about what some of you knowledgeable people on here think of his opinion of my history. You have been more knowledgeable and helpful than some of the doctors I have seen!

He thinks that I have cleared the virus from some time ago in the past. Not from the needle stick incident in March, which is why I ever got tested in the first place....that would've been too soon for me to clear.

He didn't seem to take my lack of prior risk, or low antibody scores into account. I pointed out that my 3 anti tests were 1.04, nonreactive, and most recently 1.15. He thinks I just have low antibodies in my blood, and they may show up weak or sometimes negative. But that I definitely came into contact with hep c in the past, I just don't have chronic hep c.

Could I have had 2 false positives? From what I understand, most weakly positive tests are false positive picking up on other antibodies in the blood.

When people clear the virus, do their anti scores remain high forever? I know you can never get rid of antibodies, but I am not sure if they come out highly positive on the tests? How long does it typically take for someone to clear the virus on their own?

I know others on here need more pertinent advice and have bigger issues. I am curious of your thoughts. I am so relieved, but if I did have the virus at some point in my life, I have no clue when that could've been, so guess I should get my children checked as a precaution. They have always been my biggest concern with this whole ordeal.

Thanks again for everything.
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
If the test for the virus it self is negative you don't have hep c ntibodie tests can show weakly positive for different reasons but if the test for the virus is negative you have no hep c to transmit. Please see your doctor for clairification of your questions
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The specialist called and clarified that my PCR was undetected!!! No virus found. The antibody test was positive again, and she had left the office and didnt have the exact number. So my stats are:
13 weeks anti +
13.5 weeks anti -
14 weeks PCR undetected
17.5 anti + , PCR undetected

My first anti score was so low, then a negative anti test, then another positive antibody test. I will see the other specialist next Mon. I am sooo relieved That the PCR is negative. It seems like a false positive to me, but I'm not sure? If its not I guess I should get my kids tested if iwas exposed at one point? Is the RIBA still used for that?
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
Just because she is a gasto doesn't mean she knows how to read a PCR test result and they surely won't admit it, trust me, if her partner specializes in HCV definitely go with her.

Have a great day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The specialist just called me and gave me very unclear information. She said the tests came back the same as before and she wants me to come in to see her partner who she refers all of her hep patients to.

I said, so,the antibody test came back positive and the pcr came back undetected? She said very low numbers, yes, just like before. I said undetected? She said yes very low numbers and was getting annoyed. I asked for the numbers and she said she didnt want to go back and forth over the phone, and said to make an appt with her partner.

I'm out of town and not back until next week. I called back and told the receptionist that i want someone to read my labwork numbers to me, the antibody score and if there is a viral load.

Im trying to remain calm since she said it was just as before. But when she said undetected and low numbers, I dont know if she means viral load was low or antibody was low! She's gonna be annoyed with me, but. I want to know!  This was all at 17.5 weeks after the incident and she did say my liver functions are normal now.

Im waiting on the call. She is a gastro specialist and i dont know why she was so vague and unclear. Any input? Im thinking she meant that the anti score was low and pcr undetectable, since that's what it a as before, but i dont know. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the advice. I am waiting on the specialist to call me back. I think you are right Pat. Especially with my previous + anti test and high liver tests, the doc needs to go over it all with me. I am thinking positively and taking everyone's advice that I don't have it, and am breathing deeply. :) Thanks for the input.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nurses, and other medical persons are NOT allowed to give results.  Only the Drs are - so that they can interpret the data.  (This in spite of the amount of training nurses get in the tests, etc).

However, she told you that IF it had been something urgent they would have gotten a call and then would have called you pcp.  Relax, that a deep breath, exhale, and relax again.  

Blessings,

Pat
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ps if you can't wait for your doctor to come back, maybe you can let them forward the result to your pcp, and after your mind is eased with the result, just fired the hell out of him. Remember you just need him for the "result"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry my English is not really good, but as far as I know, labs and nurses are not allowed to tell test results through phone, they can only be told by the doctor, which has something to do with the regulations, I hope this information helps you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She did say that she can forward the results to my PCP and he could tell me. I want to know what is going on, but I don't like my PCP, and am going to change doctors asap. He has no bedside manner and told me not to talk to the specialist like I am a know-it-all with info I have gathered, and also that my 14 week negative PCR is not conclusive and that I will have to get tested out for HCV for a year. I'd rather not talk to him, since he clearly isn't knowledgeable about HCV, but the anticipation *****. Any advice out there?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just called the specialist's office for the results of a repeat antibody test, PCR and metabolic panel that I took, and the doctor is out of town and they wouldn't give me the results! So frustrating! I hit the number for the extension for test results and the nurse or assistant that picked up the line said that they have them, and they have been sent to the doctor who is on vacation, and she will review them and call me next week. I have been feeling good about the outcome of all of this, but her not giving me the results makes me feel like they are not good?! Anyone know if nurses, or assistants are allowed to give results? I would think that if all is negative, she would just tell me! She did say that if it was urgent, the lab would call the office so they could notify the primary care doctor, so that could ease my mind a little. I am taking that as her way of indirectly telling me all is okay. l'm not sure if she's allowed to tell me or not? I am going out of town next week, and will be anticipating the phone call.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for all of the info, I really appreciate it. Your knowledgeable responses have really put me at ease. Thank you.

The specialist I saw a couple weeks ago, gave me a lab slip to re-test for metabolic panel, antibody, and another PCR. She told me to wait a couple weeks, so I am going on Monday, which will be a little over 17 weeks out. I guess she just wants to double check all tests, check my liver enzymes since they were high, or maybe just wants to have all the records in her hands like don't_worrybehappy1 stated above.  I will go since she told me to, but do feel much more confident with your provided info.

All of you knowledgeable, caring people that have taken the time to answer my questions and reassure me, despite my annoying anxiousness... I can't thank you enough. You are all strangers, and it goes to show that there are so many good, caring people in this world. I can't express my gratitude to you. I will pay it forward, and am trying to learn from and find the lesson in this whole thing. I'd hug you all if I could. Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
Actually completely positive EIA is 3.8 and completely positive CIA is 11.0, both are antibody test, still no worries for you as you are not even close, just wanted to clarify if you went looking.
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
"Maybe I don't need another PCR"

No, you don't, IF you had a completely positive EIA score (11.0), I would might and I mean MIGHT(depending on circumstances of exposure, not yours) recommend a second PCR, if you feel you need another PCR to make you comfortable then by all means get one, but rest easy knowing I think it is a waste of time and money. LOL

Have a great day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the clarification. I can't express my gratitude to you. I am normally a rational person, but the anxiety with all of this seems to make me irrational and not think clearly. I can see that I am annoying some people on here, and I truly apologize for that. Maybe I don't need another PCR, but help on getting a hold of my anxiety with this!

Hrsepwrguy, I have read your responses on here and can see you are very knowledgeable with this virus, testing, and treatment. I do trust your judgement and I will stop reading things that come from the internet, as I am not seeing the big picture. I didn't even see the part about "response guided therapy." Thank you for all of your insight and helping me see things clearly. Your responses are doing more than you realize, and I thank you so much. Take Care.
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
"To assess response-guided therapy eligibility, an "Undetected" result is required, and a result of "<15 IU/mL mL (<1.18 log IU/mL)" should not be considered equivalent to an "Undetected" result."

What they are talking about is an old treatment that is no longer used, treatment duration and futility rules were determined by "response-guided therapy"

It has absolutely nothing to do with your situation, once again , trust me you do not have HCV, no need to worry

Have a great day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It seems clear you have no understanding about what your reading. Re-read what you posted as you say yourself your results were. "HCV RNA Not detected". If you would have had a viral load then it would have said.

"<15 HCV RNA, Quantitative Real Time PCR IU/mL . DETECTED"

Really its not that hard to understand you don't have Hep C. But you seem to insist you do. See if you can find a doctor to treat you, good luck though.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did my testing through Quest Diagnostics, if that makes any difference. thanks
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Avatar universal
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/83142

It's under the interpretations subtitle. Thank you very much.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
Please provide the link to your reference.  So we all can see what your looking at.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My antibody test was given at 13 weeks and the PCR at 14 weeks. This is very concerning to me. I don't know why the Mayo clinic would say that those results should not be considered equivalent to an "undetected" result?? I am so confused.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you, I have been relaxing about this whole thing until my husband came across this on the mayo clinic website, and I am so anxious again. Can those of you who are knowledgeable, please advise? This is what he found on Mayo Clinic:

A result of "<15 IU/mL (<1.18 log IU/mL)" indicates that HCV RNA is detected, but the HCV RNA level present cannot be quantified accurately below this lower limit of quantification of this assay. When clinically indicated, follow-up testing with this assay is recommended in 1 to 2 months. To assess response-guided therapy eligibility, an "Undetected" result is required, and a result of "<15 IU/mL mL (<1.18 log IU/mL)" should not be considered equivalent to an "Undetected" result.

My results say: <15 HCV RNA, Quantitative Real Time PCR IU/mL
                      <1.18 HCV RNA, Quantitative Real Time PCR Log IU/mL

HCV RNA Not detected. Reference range ,15 IU/mL and <1.18 Log IU/mL. This test was performed using the COBAS (R) AmpliPrep/COBAS/ (R) RaqMAn (R) HCV Test, v2.0

I was feeling very relieved that with my low antibody score of 1.04 and it saying "undetected" I was pretty much in the clear, but now I am confused by this statement on the Mayo Clinic website.

Please give me your educated opinions on this, it seems contradictory and that it found the virus, but it is low enough that it can't quantify or measure it?

I apologize for being so anxious about this, I am on an emotional roller coaster over this whole thing. I really appreciate all of your help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That should have said, '...Please keep us informed...'
Helpful - 0
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