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Author Topic: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?  (Read 11705 times)

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Offline ETM_4_Ever

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  • Posts: 5
Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« on: October 24, 2014, 03:34:51 pm »
Hi everyone,

Recently I got an STD test because I was worried about having syphilis...the doctor told me that he was 99% sure it was just an infected hair follicle, but said it would be smart to still get the test.  Fast forward to today, I go in to get my results, and have no syphilis, but to my surprise, was told I tested positive for Hep C. 

I'm 23, have had 2 sexual partners...wore condoms every time.  Received oral with no protection.  Drug use is marijuana, and I took shrooms one time as well....that's it.  Never injected anything, never got a tattoo.  Pierced both ears, but at a legitimate business with sterile equipment.  No blood transfusions, no surgeries. 

My Signal to Cut Off Ratio was/is 2.33 and underneath it says that a "signal to cut off ratio >11.0 is predictive of a true positive Anti-HCV screening assay result >95% if the time as determined by the CDC."

The Dr, told me that it is very low Hep C and extremely treatable.  She told me to  go to a GI in order to verify that I do in fact have Hep C. I already have scheduled an appointment for this upcoming week.

Is it likely that my test was a false positive? 

« Last Edit: October 24, 2014, 03:43:23 pm by ETM_4_Ever »

Offline lporterrn

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  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2014, 04:53:40 pm »
Very likely a falsie-positive, or you cleared it on your own. Your doc just needs to run an HCV RNA qualitative test (a viral load), and if that comes back nondetectable, then you are negative.

I don't know enough about testing children of HCV-positive mothers, but if your parents are alive and born between 1945-1965, it may be a good time to suggest they get tested. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/RiskAssessment/index.htm Canada recommends testing those born 1945-1975.
You won't need to mention your own circumstances - just a great reminder that we need to get the word out
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline ETM_4_Ever

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Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2014, 06:33:37 pm »
Thank you for your reply.  So if I am negative then I am not at risk to damage my liver or anything like that?

Also, once you are negative, is there a chance that it can come back or do you have to be reintroduced to it in order to get it again?

I believe it was a false positive but am still nervous because of the fact that I had a remote trace of it in my blood.

Offline lporterrn

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  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2014, 07:42:11 pm »
Negative means no liver damage (unless you damaged your liver by another means, such as alcohol) and it can't come back unless you reinfect yourself.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline ETM_4_Ever

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Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2014, 11:04:18 am »
Ok, great.  I think this should be my last question -

Assuming the test comes back that it was a false-negative...did I test positive on the initial test as a result of having a damaged liver and therefore having too many liver enzymes?

Obviously I'll be asking the GI these questions but you seem pretty knowledgeable.   

Offline lporterrn

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  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2014, 10:54:09 pm »
The test you had has nothing to do with liver enzymes - it only looks at antibodies. If you had high liver enzymes, that needs to be addressed.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline ETM_4_Ever

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Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2014, 02:24:23 pm »
They didn't say anything about my liver enzymes, I guess I just understood the test wrong.

Got my blood taken for the second tests, should find out what is up this Friday or Monday.  Expecting to hear that I don't have anything...I'd really be beyond clueless of how I got exposed to Hep C if they say I do have it.

Offline ETM_4_Ever

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  • Posts: 5
Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2014, 01:35:45 pm »
Just got the call from the GI that I tested negative for the virus, but positive for the antibodies again.  He said that the RIBA is no longer available to tell if I was exposed at one point or if it is false positive but he and a colleague believe that it was a false positive.  He said I'll have to do follow ups for 6 months just to verify and after the 6 months it will be confirmed as a false positive.

So happy right now!

Good luck to everyone fighting this brutal disease.

Offline jberlin

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  • Posts: 319
  • Contracted Hep C in 76, treated 2004 & 2012, cured
Re: Just Tested Positive - False Positive?
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2014, 10:34:19 pm »
Great news!  Nice treat on Halloween.  Congrats, jack

 


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