What does Negative for HCV RNA mean?

[Confused]

I was told I had Hep a number of years ago. Within the last few years my tests have been coming back Negative for HCV RNA by PCR. Can anyone help me better understand what that means, my doctors aren't making it clear and keep giving me round about answers, so I was hoping you all could help...

[Mike]

Negative for HCV RNA means there were no Hep-C viruses detected in your blood. This means you don't have an active Hep-C infection. This is great news and suggests that you were previously exposed to the virus but never developed an infection.

Best wishes, Mike

[rainbowray]

Some people's own immune system is able to cure itself. I think about 15%.
You may be in that group. If I were you, I would get checked at least once a year though. After a few years of undetected then forget about it.

[Confused]

Does this mean I am not contagious? I know that may seem like an ignorant question to some but frankly I'm very uneducated on this situation.. that's why I'm here to ask you guys :/ Thanks for your replies!

[Mike]

Hi Confused,

There's no such thing as an ignorant question on this board. This is a place to get info, ask questions and get support.

If, in fact, you have had negative Hep-C RNA tests over the past few years, you are not contagious.

I will always test positive for the Hep-C antibody; but I completed treatment and the virus was eradicated. This was confirmed by a negative HVC RNA test.

Since I have cleared the virus (I'm cured) I can't pass on what I don't have.

The same is true for you!

Best wishes, Mike

[kickhep]

I was tested two months ago, and my test came back "Reactive (Abnormal)" my doctor ordered more tests and the results are:

HCV LOG10 Results
•   <1.18 IU/mL
HEP C GENO Results
•   Not Detected
HCV RNA PCR Quant Results
•   <15 IU/mL
Now my doctor is telling me that I'm fine and I don't need any medications
I'm somewhat confused please help.
Thank you.

[Mike]

Basically, you probably had a reactive Hep-C test result which indicated the presence of the Hep-C antibody

Your doctor then ordered additional tests.The HCV RNA PCR Quant results suggests that no virus were detected, which means that a genotype (GT) could not be determined (HEP C GENO), as there are numerous Hep-C genotypes and treatment decisions are tailored to the particular GT.

I want to be clear, I'm not a doctor and always refer back to your physician for specifics; but the test results tell me you were previously exposed to the Hep-C virus but did not develop a chronic infection. This means you don't have a Hep-C infection, which is great news!

Make sure you follow up with your doctor if you have further concerns or questions.

Best wishes, Mike

[kickhep]

Thank you Mike, so is this means I can't give it to my partner?
Thank you again!

[lporterrn]

You have no hep C to give to your partner

[kickhep]

Thank you, you guys are awesome please keep up the good work.

[mikeyman]

Hi Lucinda, I have a call into him . just waiting on a return back to explain it. I have not seen <12 before? Ill post what he says when he calls. thanks!

[lporterrn]

Hi Mikeyman - I moved this thread to http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=2201.0 - Hope to hear back with good news, but I am pretty sure it is nondetectable.

[Worriedsick]

Does anyone know if this result would be a negative as well???



Tests: (1) HEPATITIS C RNA, PCR, RT, QNT (1238.050)
! HCV RNA,PCR,REAL TIME, QNT
 <15 IU/mL ()
! HCV RNA PCR (LOG 10) <1.18 ()
 UNITS OF MEASURE: Log IU/mL
 HCV RNA Not Detected.
 REFERENCE RANGE:
 HCV RNA, PCR, QUANT:
 <15 IU/mL
 HCV RNA, PCR, QUANT:
 <1.18 LogIU/mL

[Long_Haul]

@Worriedsick, You are UNDETECTED, See Below:( Not sure why they bury the result, mine came back with a status header of "Not Detected")

Tests: (1) HEPATITIS C RNA, PCR, RT, QNT (1238.050)
! HCV RNA,PCR,REAL TIME, QNT
 <15 IU/mL ()
! HCV RNA PCR (LOG 10) <1.18 ()
 UNITS OF MEASURE: Log IU/mL

 HCV RNA Not Detected.   <------------  Look Here!
 
REFERENCE RANGE:
 HCV RNA, PCR, QUANT:
 <15 IU/mL
 HCV RNA, PCR, QUANT:
 <1.18 LogIU/mL


Hope this makes you feel a bit less worried.

Best Wishes,

AL

[NeedAnswers]

So my doctor informed me that I was positive for Hep C after doing blood work, but had me come in a second time to do additional blood work to be sure of the results. I gave blood again. A little after two weeks my doctor followed up with me and said that he had good news. My body had fought the virus and it was not active in the 2nd blood test. But, he still referred me to a liver specialist. He then sent me my test results via mail and they are as follows:
13/+ Hep C Ab but Neg RNA

What does this mean?
Do I still have Hep C?
And why am I being referred?

Someone please help!

[KimInTheForest]

So my doctor informed me that I was positive for Hep C after doing blood work, but had me come in a second time to do additional blood work to be sure of the results. I gave blood again. A little after two weeks my doctor followed up with me and said that he had good news. My body had fought the virus and it was not active in the 2nd blood test. But, he still referred me to a liver specialist. He then sent me my test results via mail and they are as follows:
13/+ Hep C Ab but Neg RNA

What does this mean?
Do I still have Hep C?
And why am I being referred?

Someone please help!

As far as I understand it, your results of your 2 tests mean that you were, at some time in your life, exposed to Hepatitis C. However, you were one of the 15-25% of people whose immune systems are able to eliminate the virus without it becoming chronic. And you therefore do NOT have Hepatitis C. But you will always test positive for antibodies to Hep C because your immune system will continue to manufacture those antibodies for the rest of your life.

The first test one gets when checking for Hep C is always an antibody test. If that comes back positive (i.e., if your body has at some point been exposed to Hepatitis C and is now producing antibodies), then the doctor goes on to order a second test, and that test looks for the presence of the virus itself in your blood. The 1st test (antibody test) is much cheaper than the 2nd test (PCR test looking for virus). So they give the antibody test first to see if they need to move onto the more expensive test.

Basically, I think you are in the clear. But it's good you are getting referred to a liver specialist.

kim

[NeedAnswers]

Thank you Kim!
By the way, I read your story and congratulations! What a strong and brave woman you are.
What I also forgot to ask is even though my test results seem to show that I have no Hep C, is it usually common to still be put on medication by a liver spec. I'm cases like my own? I feel like I want to, just to be safe.

[KimInTheForest]

Thank you Kim!
By the way, I read your story and congratulations! What a strong and brave woman you are.
What I also forgot to ask is even though my test results seem to show that I have no Hep C, is it usually common to still be put on medication by a liver spec. I'm cases like my own? I feel like I want to, just to be safe.

Thanks!

I don't think there is any specific medication to go on if you don't have Hep C. The only liver-related meds for this are the direct-acting antivirals which eradicate the virus in those who have it. If your test says "Neg RNA" then as far as I know, you do not have any Hep C virus in your body. hep C is not a virus that can lurk. If it is there, it will show up on a PCR blood test with a quantification of the viral load.

The liver specialist will probably do various tests to check the condition of your liver - probably blood tests including AST/ALT/GGT/bilirubin, and maybe an abdominal ultrasound and/or a fibroscan (which is like an ultrasound). Since you cleared the virus spontaneously, that means you did not have it long, so it is unlikely that it did any noticeable damage. Many of us have had it for decades and are still ok in terms of liver condition. Of course eating a liver-supporting diet and reducing alcohol is always advisable.

kim

[Lynn K]

I believe the first test was an antibody  test this could indicate you had been exposed at some time in the past to hep c but about 25% of people beat hep c on their own. That is the reason for the 2nd test called HCV RNA by PCR that checks to see if you have hep c virus in your blood which it seems you do not based on your negative result. Congrats you do not have hep c.

You will always test positive for hep c antibodies they are not the virus they are made by your own body when it fought the virus.

I imagine you doctor is sending you to a specialist out of an abundance of caution to make sure your liver is fine from your encounter with hep c. But I expect very likely you will get a clean bill of health and go on from there like nothing ever happenend.

Just to add as you do test positive for hep c antibodies you won't be able to donate blood at least not at the present time. The blood bank tests for hep c antibodies and if found they will dispose of your donation ans send you a letter rejecting you as a blood doner.

Best of luck to you