Not detected for HepB, but after full vaccination, HBsAb is 0 IU/L. Why?

Hi Doctors.. My husband and I had our blood test early July this year.  We're newly married couple.  So sad to know my husband detected having Hep B, fortnately my report showed that Im not infected.  Doctor advised me to immediately taking vaccination, 1 dose a month.

Completed my 2 doses, and had blood test last week to check if I have the antibody successfully.  

Surprisingly my HBsAb was 0 IU/L, comment is  "Indicative of lack of protective immunity, except in patients who previously shown seroconversion."

I don't understand what doctor means.  He recommends me to make another blood test on HBcAb.  Only then to decide whether to take complete vaccination again, but with double dose.  Only 10% of patients have this problem.  Mayb it's a low grade virus.

He said I might be already a carrier but why the Hep B test i was not detected so.  Our main concern is:-

a)    If i'm really a carrier like doctor said, but without aintigen in blood, if I want to have baby, will the baby be infected directly from birth =(  

b)  If after this HBcAb test I'm not a carrier, and the 2nd set of vaccination fails again, I cannot avoid to be transmitted by my husband right?  Because if want baby, there'll be no barrier sex.

I hope someone can give me advice.  I hope to have baby, but afraid wil ruin the baby's life if transmit it since birth =(

[StephenCastlecrag]

Many chronic Hepatitis B women have babies and almost all the babies can be protected from infection by having HBIG injection and the first dose of a three dose vaccination within 12 hrs after birth. So vertical transmission is no longer an issue.

It is too early to say whether you were infected. Vaccine failure is not uncommon. Also, Hepatitis B vaccine is usually a 3 dose regime, and you seemed to have only two. Also antibodies do not appear instantly. Make sure the vaccine you took was properly stored and administered. CDC is the best source of information regarding vaccines.

Before you have protective level of antibodies, you should practice safe sex.

[Dee1956]

Hello, Stephen has given you  great advice.
You have only done two of the 3 injections, it does take time for them to work.
I had Hep C, had two children and they did not get it from me.  Thank God for that. I did not know I had hepatitis c at the time or I might have felt like y I know you are afraid but try to think positive.

[thien]

Thank you very much both Stephen and Dee. Vaccine given by doctor was Hep B ENG ERIX. He said 3 dose should only be take a year later. Whereas my friends are 6 months later. And my vaccine is also different with theirs. I don't know why..

In fact since my husband is detected with HepB, I totally reject having sex, I'm too worried if get infected then will affect the next generation. So, this is definately tough for a newly married couple like us..

[StephenCastlecrag]

"The vaccine is readily available at your doctor's office or local health clinic. Three doses are generally required to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series, although there is an accelerated two-dose series for adolescents.

    First Injection - At any given time
    Second Injection - At least one month after the first dose
    Third Injection - Six months after the first dose"

The above is from www.hepb.org, Hepatitis B Foundation. So I don't know why your third dose is not given at 6 month. Sometimes, a fourth dose is given at 12 months.
The following information is from Engerix-B:

"Persons 16 Through 65 Years of Age: Clinical trials in healthy adult and adolescent subjects (16 through 65 years of age) have shown that following a course of 3 doses of ENGERIX-B (20 mcg/1 mL) given at 0, 1, and 6 months, the seroprotection (antibody titers ≥10 mIU/mL) rate for all individuals was 79% at month 6 (5 months after second dose) and 96% at month 7 (1 month after third dose); the GMT for seroconverters was 2,204 mIU/mL at month 7 (N = 110).

An alternate 3-dose schedule (20 mcg/1 mL given at 0, 1, and 2 months) designed for certain populations (e.g., individuals who have or might have been recently exposed to the virus and travelers to high-risk areas) was also evaluated. At month 3 (1 month after third dose), 99% of all individuals were seroprotected and remained protected through month 12. On the alternate schedule, a fourth dose of ENGERIX-B (20 mcg/1 mL) at 12 months produced a GMT of 9,163 mIU/mL at month 13 (1 month after fourth dose) (N = 373).

[thien]

Thanks for above useful info. I'll clarify with the doctor. In fact if I'm not a carrier, I should have built some antibody after the 2nd dose right? Now it is 0 IU/L, how common and normal  is this?