Confused with Hep c Test results

Question

Hi All

About 3 weeks age my routine medical check up report came with Hep c antibodies REACTIVE. I was totally freaked out but the doctor told me not to worry since some of the infected bodies clear this virus on their own. So i took a confirmatory test which (Thanks to Almighty) came Negative. in a nutshell doctor told me that the red light is off and you are clean without worry.

Now after reading a lot about Hep C and the tests (RIBA, EIA & RNA) i am a little confused. My questions is, what tests do you think Doctor took? 

First test came after 3 days & the Second test took almost 3 weeks.

In my report i can only see:

First Report: HCV Antibodies: REACTIVE

Second Report: HCV: Negative

I would appreciate any professional expertise.

patra_ · Accepted Answer

Hi' and welcome to the Forum!  First, we are NOT professionals - we are just hepc patients, sharing our knowledge, concerns, info and support to each other.  Some are very very knowledgeable and some of us are just learning, but we are all in this together.

Second.  It sounds like your first test was a hepc antibody test.  Once you are ever exposed, or have hep c. your antibody test will always be REACTIVE.  An example of that is that when I was diagnosed w/hepc. in the 90s, I was given the hepb vaccine.  I always show reactive for that test, because of the vaccines.  Anyway, your Dr told you correctly.  The fact that he did the follow up tests is a good thing.

Third.  It SOUNDS like the second test was the viral load test, and that you had NO virus, which, again backs up your Dr's info.

Fourth.  Do you have a copy of that second test?  If so, who was it worded exactly?  If not,you might want to ask your Dr's office for a copy so you can tell us how it read.  Then someone can give you a more definitive answer.

Example of that:  My Lab report (and most others, so far as I know) show
for the vl test:  RCV RNA,  PCR,  Quant and a 'less than' number, usually listed like <.  then the narrative follows that where it might have explained that you were negative.  And, yes, that test takes a good while to get unless it was done @ a liver transplant center, where they do their on Lab processing.

Please let us know.  Good luck and hang in there.  Pat

Syetab · Answer

That pretty much conclude the answer. Thank you All for the support and participation.

Stay Blessed

hrsepwrguy · Answer

HCV PCR by RNA = HCV RNA by PCR :)

hrsepwrguy · Answer

I have no idea how long it takes to get the results for a riba test, they are not used much in the US anymore, as far as a HCV PCR by RNA test, it can take anywhere from 5 to 14 days to get results here in the US, depending on the lab.

Have a great day

Syetab · Answer

Hi hrsepwrguy

Can you please tell me how many days RIBA takes and how many days RNA PCR takes? That would be more helpful.

Patra thanks for the comments again.

patra_ · Answer

S:  There you go - and I learned something, too - one of the things I love about the Forum!  

h:  Thank you!  I love how someone always has the knowledge and info and shares it.  I learned something new today.  Again, thanks!  

Pat

hrsepwrguy · Answer

HCV RIBA test is an additional test to confirm the presence of antibodies to the virus. In most cases, it can tell if the positive anti-HCV test was due to exposure to HCV (positive RIBA) or represents a false signal (negative RIBA). In a few cases, the results cannot answer this question (indeterminate RIBA). Like the anti-HCV test, the RIBA test cannot tell if you are currently infected, only that you have been exposed to the virus.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/hepc_test.html

patra_ · Answer

I'll pull out my trusty Mosby's book when I get home and pursue that area.  P

Syetab · Answer

Hi pat.

RIBA i guess is a test more spacified for antibodies.

patra_ · Answer

S:  The HepB vaccine does not reflect at all on the hepc results.  My vaccination was done in 1995.  There is no carryover from the hepb to the hepc for the antibody test.  Separate viruses - separate results.

I didn't understand your second question:  are you talking about a Lab test or the med Ribaviran?  I didn't see such an abbreviation on my Lab reports but that doesn't mean that there isn't one.

Hang in there.  Pat

Syetab · Answer

Thanks @patra. that is a kind of relief. Can you please eloborate on hep B vaccination? Because i was also vaccinated a good while ago may be in 2003. 

Do you think hep B vaccination causes antibodies reactive for hep c?

I actually dont see anything on the test. It says lab name and HCV: Negative

Based on my readings RNA PCR takes about 2 week or so. Do you know how long RIBA takes?

Thanks all gor your time and response

patra_ · Answer

Can:  Thanks.  You, too.

Sy: You, too.

can-do-man · Answer

No reason to be sorry and your sure not stepping on toes. As a matter of fact the more assurance the poster has that everything is fine the better. Hope your having a great day...:)

patra_ · Answer

Can:  That was supposed to read ' Sorry.  Your answer...'.  Sorry.  Don't like stepping on toes - especially when they have helped me.  : -).  Pat

patra_ · Answer

Your answer hadn't post before I started mine.  Pat

can-do-man · Answer

Your doctor is correct and took the right tests. What all this means is at one time you were exposed to Hep C but your own immune system beat it back. You have nothing to worry about although you will always carry the antibodies they will not cause you any harm... Congrats.

Confused with Hep c Test results

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