False-Positive

[scaredwifeinny]

My husband and I are going through infertility treatment.  He went in a few weeks ago to have the blood checklist for IVF and my doctor called on Friday to tell us that he's tested positive for the antibodies to Hepatitis C.  My husband has never used illegal drugs, no tattoos, no blood transfusions and was vigilant about protected sex.  So... since we haven't been in to see another doctor for follow-up tests, what are the rates of false-positive in this sort of population?  We are understandably devastated and just need to know more information.  Thanks!

[jmjm530]

Scared: The doctor sort of rushed through everything today and I don't know if he even looked at Paul's values on the sheet or just decided to repeat everything to be sure.
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As a pharm rep, you unfortunately know that this is the way medicine is practiced all too often these days. Because of your obvious intelligence and involvement, you will eventually get the answers you want, but not necessarily as fast as you could.

All the best,

-- Jim

[Jakied]

the riba' test and the Pcr are two very different tests.  the Riba is a VERY specific test for the antibody to Hcv.  The Pcr (Polymaraise Chain Reaction) check the bloodstream for the virus itself, NOT the antibody.  Your immune sysytem will produce antibodies to any foreign substance (common cold, flu, hiv,hcv etc) and thus, a 'window period' for this to happen exists.  For Hiv, the window period is usually 3 months, for hep b around 2 months and hep c 50 days is average.  this is the length of time necessary for your immune system to produce enough antibodies to be detected by the antibody test.  The pcr test, by checking for the virus itself, is effective within 3 weeks or so after exposure.

My own experience is this.  In sept 05, I had a one night stand with a woman (pros).  Not proud of that but we all make mistakes.  In december 05, I had a reactive screening test, 1.0 score, very weak but i had to take the Riba test.  waiting for that was the longest 4 days of my life.  I was frantic but, thankfully, the Riba and Pcr qualitative were both neg.  I learned my lesson.
That is why I recommended your husband take the Riba test and Pcr.

I am sure your husband would want to know his antibody status as wells as his virus status.

[scaredwifeinny]

100% agree.  I'm a pharma rep and have been doing all sorts of research this weekend.  The doctor sort of rushed through everything today and I don't know if he even looked at Paul's values on the sheet or just decided to repeat everything to be sure.  Whatever he's doing, it has to at least make us aware of what we're facing!

[jmjm530]

Sound like what was ordered was an antibody test that *reflexes* into a PCR. In other words if the antibody test is negative, they don't run the PCR. But if the antibody test is positive, then they run the PCR. Truthfully, at this point I'd want the PCR test run anyway for peace of mind. I'm sure you will eventually end up with the answer you need, I was just trying to make the process work faster. Let's hope the antibody test comes out negative this time. At that point, assuming a negative, I'd still ask the doctor to run a PCR whether he thinks it's necessary or not.

-- Jim

[scaredwifeinny]

He has a follow up appointment in two weeks to discuss the PCR results.

[scaredwifeinny]

PCR test and the positive/negative secondary screening test is what he ordered, along with blood values (ALT, the other one and bilirubin).  He said if the test Wed. is negative (it's apparently the first step in the PCR test?) then not to worry, he's neg.  Although he didn't sound too sure about that.