Blind sided by a routine health exam....

Started a new job and due to age (53), Met Life wanted to do a health exam before approving my insurance.  I just got the results back.  I was floored to discover the test came back positive for Hep C.  Hep B was negative.  My first question is what is the likelihood of a false positive?  I had a blood test in 2007 and it was negative.  I don't shoot drugs, I don't work around blood or open wounds, I haven't had a transfusion since then.

My AST was 39 and my ALT is 66.  I'm told that is high but not alarmingly so.  It happened that the first day of the 2011 NFL season was the day before my exam.  I did over-indulge a bit too much that day.

Also, I take Lortab 10/500 for pain due to a motorcycle accident.  I don't take it daily.  I usually take around 3-6 tabs per week and never more than 2 in one day.

All my other chem results were normal.  My Cholesterol is 154 LDL-86 and HDL 45.

I am a moderate drinker.  

Any comments and thoughts would be appreciated.   While I'm not in panic mode, I am somewhat anxious over this and quite perplexed.

Thanks,
Bill

[lynda607]

Did you test positive for hepc antibodies?  If so, did you follow up with a HCV RNA PCR that showed HCV RNA detected along with a viral load number?  That is the only way to confirm you actually have hepc.   Antibody tests can produce false positive readings.  Also, if you were ever exposed to the virus and your immune system fought the virus off  which happens in about 20% of the infected population you will always test positive for HCV antibodies but negative for virus.  Antibodies pose no health threat.

Alcohol consumption can cause elevated enzymes especially if you mix the 10/500 hydro with alcohol.

If you haven't had a PCR that should be your next course of action and then you can move forward from there.

[indy531]

I understand your response to the news; I was floored also. No risky behavior, but did have a blood transfusion in '79. Many people have been  infected through less than optimal medical practices and a contaminated public blood supply. 40% of sufferers can't pinpoint how they were infected. What's inportant is to check w/your MD's to assess damage and formulate a plan for the future, even if that means sitting tight if you have no damage. Read, read, and read more about HCV. There are very knowledable posters at this forum. Good lck. BTW-I chose to treat now and I suffer from little damage, but I want this illegal disease out of my body.

[copyman]

The antibody is actually very accurate. The chances of it being a false positive is only 5%. There is a better chance (20%) and hopefully you just have the antibodies, meaning your body fought off the virus. Like the other poster said you will need a PCR to confirm.

Best of luck

[Masbirdies]

I just got the results back yesterday so I haven't had a chance to schedule anything as of yet.  I wanted to do some reading and ask questions before I did anything.  

Guess I'll be calling to schedule the recommended test above. Thanks and I'll report back once I am able to get this done.

[Masbirdies]

PS....the 66 on the ALT.  Is that considered bad?

[SusieS2010]

No, it isn't bad. And if you were drinking the night before the test, it is likely to be the reason for the elevation if your PCR comes back undetected (negative). Good luck.

[copyman]

Forgot to mention that you should stop drinking any alcohol until you find out what is going on. Drinking with Hep C is like throwing gas on a fire. It will accelerate liver disease with a better chance it will lead to cirrhosis.

The PCR test you need takes about 2 weeks for the results

Again, best of luck