Hepatitis C Test Information

Question: How do i determine my hepatitis c test results? do i have hep c?

(Posted by: dawnandsqueeky on 2006-11-05 09:39:51)

I gave blood last year and they sent me a letter saying that my screening test was positive, my riba test was indeterminate, and my nat test was negative. I then went to the health department and there test was negative. Six months later My doctor did a complete hepatitis virus panel and liver function test and all was normal. So what does it all mean?

Posted by: cindy1323 on 2006-11-06, 17:49:58

Liver functions & liver enzymes can be in the normal range even when you have Hep C. 40% of people with HCV have enzymes in the normal range. If I were you, I would redo the hepatitis screening test. It should be either "reactive " or "non-reactive "; if it is non-reactive, then you have not been exposed. If it is reactive, then you will need another test to determine if you have chronic, active hep c. That test is the HCV PCR RNA. If that one comes back detecting any number , then that means you have Hep C. Best wishes to you.

Posted by: redunicorn on 2006-11-05, 09:43:20

The test that had you as positive was probably a false positive. Mistakes happen.

Posted by: blackbird on 2006-11-05, 09:45:33

If your doctor did include a Hep C viral screen and it came back negative - you're lucky and not to worry. If it came back positive, you're infected. Hep C virus mutates daily & persists for a lifetime in its victims. No permament cures yet. No vaccine yet. also now are Hep type E <F <G <H < all separate types of viruses. You can have 2 viruses or more at the same time in your liver. All are spread through sex & intimacy just like Type C - as well as spreadin other ways. too.

Posted by: dcjunk on 2006-11-05, 09:54:20

The best thing to do is get all your lab results and see a hepatologist. (A liver specialist). He or she will be able to determine if you are HCV positive or not. A repeat HCV RNA test would be in order as well as other test to confirm the infection. Also, diagnosing hepatitis C would depend if there are any risk factors for the disease, for example did you use Intravenous drugs that were illegal, received a blood transfusion, had multiple sex partners, have piercings or body tattoos that were done unprofessionally. (FYI, the risk of transmitting hepatitis C via sex is very low on the list compare to hepatitis B. Aquiring hepatitis D is only possible if the person is also infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis A and E is only acquired by ingesting contaminated food and water and not via blood.) In the mean time, the best thing to not do to promote liver damage is avoid alcohol, in any amount, as there is a lot of literature supporting alcohol use which causes progression of liver damage. Please see a Hepatologist (because a primiary care doctor are not liver specialist).