Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: Dolphin789 on August 04, 2013, 11:20:12 pm
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Hi,
There is a lot of information that the hep c antibody test window is 6 mths, but more recently some are saying 12 weeks. Even hep.org the official NSW site says 12 wks for a final result. Hepatitisaustralia site says the same thing.
When did this change? Has it really changed?
A lot of the other state sites still say the window period is 6 mths, and overseas as well.
Likewise the antibody test for hep b is longer than 3 mths, it is the hep b antigen test which is 3 mths. It seems like it has been reduced just tomatch the other tests?
I had a hep c test at almost 12 wks as I have had many symptoms. I really need to know what I can rely on and find out what is wrong with me.
Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks .
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If you're concerned, I think you could request for a VL test to check for the virus and not the antibodies itself.
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Yes, for the longest time 6 months was the time deemed appropriate, but my MD at LifeLink said 3 months is 100% accurate. They test at both only because the CDC still uses the 6 month benchmark to be considered cured, but there has never been a discrepancy in results between the 3 & 6 month tests. I got tested twice, and even though I was told all this, still got nervous both times waiting for results, which both times came back UD. Hope this helps. -jack