Hep C antibody reactive

[jiade]

Hi, I think I need to share my info to you guys before I go crazy. I had full blood test on Thursday. On friday I checked my reports online. It shows Hep C antibody is Reactive. I emailed my doc before she called me, and I will go for an appointment soon.

I had same test 4 years ago, and antibody was negative. I never had blood transit, never do drugs, no hiv (I did self test and it's negative). I dated one guy at a time and never had unprotected sex. I also called my ex, he confirmed he don't have hepatitis desease. I don't know how I get contracted?

My other liver tests is normal, AST 12U/L, ALT 7/UL. Could anyone tell me what's the chance of getting it? Thank you.

[gnatcatcher]

jiade, it is possible that the result is a false positive. This article gives more information: https://www.hepmag.com/article/false-test-result-25760-476718382

Another source of Hep C is through a tattoo or acupuncture or other body piercing if equipment was reused and not properly sterilized.

When someone has Hep C, the AST and ALT may continue to be normal for a long time. Right now, there isn't enough information to know whether you do or don't have Hep C, but you have made an appointment and your doctor will order more testing to answer the question. If you do have Hep C and got it very recently, your body may clear the virus on its own, but if not, today's medicines are easy (one pill a day for a few months) and have very high cure rates.

Welcome! Feel free to keep asking questions here.

Gnatty

[jiade]

Thank you for all these informations. I'm really nervous. I saw my doc ordered RNA test too, I had my blood collected last Thursday, do you know hong long it takes to get the results? The waiting is so torturous. 

[dragonslayer]

I think its very lab dependent.   The lab I used only did HCV RNA testing 1 or 2 days a week,  so the results in cases like this can take about a week.

[jiade]

Thank you. I don't know which lab my PCP uses. Maybe all I can do is pray and wait .

[jiade]

*****UPDATE*****
I notice my test result was edited one time:
HEPATITIS C VIRUS ANTIBODY WITH REFLEX TO PCR - Details
HEPATITIS C VIRUS AB      REACTIVE 
I'm still waiting for the test result from another test 'COBAS TAQMAN HCV'.

Do I still have hope for it? 

[Lynn K]

That is an antibody test result you still need a test for the hep c virus itself the HCV RNA by PCR test to know if you are currently infected.

Also about 25% of people who were exposed to hep c are able to beat the virus in their own. Those people will forever test positive for hepc antibodies but will test not detected on the HCV RNA test.

When you receive your next test result you will know if you are infected or not.

Good luck

[jiade]

***************UPDATE******************

My doctor brought good news for me yesterday

COBAS TAQMAN HCV   Not Detected IU/mL   
The quantification range of this assay is 15-100 million IU/mL. Testing is performed with the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV v2.0 test.

She said this is negative, means the first test is false positive. She said she would do some research on the cause of false positive.

Am I all good now?

Thank you.

[gnatcatcher]

This is excellent news. You don't have HCV. By itself, this test result doesn't prove that the first test was a false positive; it is still possible you somehow got a mild case of HCV but your immune system managed to get rid of it. When your doctor has done her research, if she is the very cautious type, she might want you to repeat a test in six months just to be certain that you are totally free of HCV. So, don't be surprised if she does that, but today you can be very happy!

[Lynn K]

Your first test may have been a false positive or it may mean you were exposed to hep c in the past and beat the virus on your own about 25% of people are able to do this. You have tested negative for the virus so that means you are not infected with hepatitis c. However your hep c antibody test will always test positive for the rest of your life.