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Guidance needed! Confused with my test results!

Hello first I would like to apologize if my English is hard to understand, I don't speak really good English. I had a sexual contact with a HCV + person 17 weeks ago, after that ive tested for several times, here are the test results:

03 week : antibody positive
10 week : antibody positive 1.25
13 week : antibody positive 1.23

16 week : antibody negative 0.03
16 week : PCR quantitative <15 UL  not detected

Now I'm really confused, with previous tests results which all came back positive, Ive already assumed that I contracted HCV from my exposure. However when I tested for antibody and HCV PCR at 16 week, they all came back negative!

This really gave me  no clue of what's happening to me. Hence, I'm here, hoping anyone could shed some light on my situation, any interpretation or response will be appreciated for the following questions,

1. I've read that after the acute stage before entering the chronic stage, the virus load will start to drop and fluctuate, could it be possible that my viral load dropped below 15 UL so it was not detected at 16 week?

2. And as for my positive/negative antibody test result,it is  because I'm recently infected and I don't have enough antibody which caused the low signal cut off and negative results?

3. Do I need to go for another PCR test since it's not Qualititative?

Thanks again, hope I can figure this mess out eventually :)

Best
Alexis

24 Responses
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3147776 tn?1549545810
Accurate information has been provided and further questions would only be repetitive.  If you have further concerns, please consult a physician.

*********** THREAD CLOSED ***********
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is not what I am saying. You do not have hep C is what we all are saying. Please get some help for your anxiety.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So what you meant was that if I was in the acute stage, the density of HCV antibody would be relevantly low when comparing with the chronic stage, but it wouldn't definitely low to the signal to cut off ratio? Is that correct?

Thank you tons, I feel like I'll be putting my mind at ease really soon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The acute stage does not cause a low signal to cutoff. In fact, if you had hep C in the acute stage, it would be quite high. You do not have hep C.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
*my body hasn't developed enough
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you surfsidegal, your response helped me a lot. I just have one more question, could low signal to cut off ratio caused by the reason that I'm in the acute stage, and my boy hasn't developed enough density of antibody to react to the antibody test? (It's been 4 month, and the window period for hep c is 6 month

Thanks again
Alexis
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi. I agree with the others that you do NOT have hepatitis C. In some people the antibody test reacts to something else and it looks like it is positive when in fact it is not. The number after your antibody test is 1.25 and 1.23. That is the signal-to-cutoff results and it is very low making it a strong possiblility that your test is a false positive. I believe you can rest easy that you do not have hepatitis C. Go enjoy your weekend.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
Why Hepatitis C Tests May Give False Results


http://www.hepmag.com/articles/false_test_result_2502_25760.shtml


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Anyone...? I know people take a PCR test as golden standard here, but how could I have had 3 positive antibody tests then boom! A negative antibody ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Any thought on my previous question? How did the antibody turn negative after positive?
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
: ).  Have great day!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Lol I don't want to get exported from my own county
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! I'm less worried now! Do u have any though on why I tested positive with 3 antibody test and then all of the sudden the antibody test at 16 week came back negative?
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
exported =exposed

Sorry ......don't want to confuse you.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
Stop worrying.   hrsepwguy answered your question twice.   And yes he knows exactly what he's taking about.   A PCR is accurate at 16 weeks.
Also, you can test positive for Hep C antibodies due to other reasons like a resent sickness etc etc etc.  

FYI:  If you ever have been exposed to Hepatitis C and your body cleared the virus on your own.   You will test positive to hepatitis C antibodies for the rest of your life.....even though you don't have Hepatitis C.  This happens to 25% of people exported to hep C.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks! So  the PCR quantitative test can consider conclusive ANYTIME after the initial 2-3 weeks?
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
If YOUR worried, get tested again

Have a great day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One time I can let myself believe it was a false positive, but three times?? Isn't that a little hard to believe?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know I sound like a worried well for you , it's just that from the previous positive antibody tests I couldn't help but wonder the accuracy of my PCR test. Here is a part of the article that I  quoted :
"
The HCV RNA levels can fluctuate widely in acute hepatitis C, with some individuals demonstrating intermittent decline in viral load below the detection for HCV RNA during some of these fluctuation."

http://depts.washington.edu/hepstudy/hepC/clindx/acute/discussion.html#ref
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
You can have what isn't there = You CAN'T have what isn't there.  Sorry typing error.

You don't have Hepatitis C.  Your fine.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
You can have what isn't there.   No virus!!! No Hepatitis C.  You don't have Hepatitis C.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
And the test might have missed it when it was the low strike?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your replay! But doesn't the viral load fluctuate a lot when during the end of acute phase before entering the chronic phase?
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
With a negative PCR at 16 wks you are fine, you do not have HCV.

"3. Do I need to go for another PCR test since it's not Qualititative?"

No

Have a great day
Helpful - 0
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