Hep C Question, please help...

I tested positive for the hepatitis c antibody back in 1990 after donating blood.  I donated 6 months prior to that and I was negative.  Dont know how I exposed to Hep C.  I went to my doctor for follow up testing, including liver function tests and a test to see if I had active virus.  All tests came back clear and negative except for the positive antibody test.  I continued going in for testing and still, all tests came back clear.  I have never been treated for Hep C, but the fact that I have tested positive for antibodies sticks in the back of my mind.  Is it possible to be Hep C antibody + and have all tests come back normal, negative?  I know the numbers are low.  Here I am almost 17 years later wondering what is going on?  My test from last year were normal and clear as well.  I dont know what to make of this.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[chcnme]

Hi ale.  I hope you don't have Hep C, but I can't say that I think you are in the clear (becaue I don't really  understand what tests you are talking about having done.)  You say "all tests" have come back normal / negative / low numbers.  Your blood work or other labs (such as a CBC or a liver panel) can all be "negative", per se, meaning within normal limits  (some might call it "low numbers"), but if those are tests you're you're talking coming back normal / negative / low, they wouldn't have anything to do with ruling out chronic hepatitis C.  Yes, some people do clear this virus on their own.  Many never know how they acquired Hep C but still have it.  Do you know if you have ever had a PCR done  (it checks for the virus in the blood -- not just antibodies)?   If not, and if you haven't been to the doc in a while and you are worried about this  (I would be) ask them about a PCR.  It's the test you want done, I think.  Tell them to rule out CHronic Hep C.  Best of luck.

[mremeet]

chcn - ale said he/she's repeatedly been tested since 1990 (under the care of a doctor), and specifically that he/she was clear of the virus (which means PCR- ). All other tests were normal/negative except for positive HCV AB. Unless ale underwent drug treatment, then by definition ale's a naturally cleared case of HCV. According to what Ale has said, he/she clearly does not have an active infection and has been/is in the clear.

Ale in case you don't know, the antibodies are not the virus itself. They're a natural byproduct of the initial HCV infection. They're your own body's "custom tailored" cells which were produced by your immune system's reaction to the HCV when you were initially infected years ago. Those antibodies successfully fought off the infection for you, and they will likely remain with you for the rest of your life. But the antibodies by themselves are not harmful and should not be considered an indicator that you are chronically (or acutely) infected with HCV. Like chcn said, if you were specifically tested for the presence of the virus itself (with a test called a PCR), and repeatedly tested negative over a long period of time (i.e. more than a year) as you stated, then with 99%+ certainty, you're in the clear for good. If you've been under the care of a competent doctor, then he/she certainly would have verified you were virus negative (as you stated you were).

Here's a great site where you can learn all you want about the whole schpeel:

http://janis7hepc.com/

[chcnme]

I understand about antibodies.  My main concern was, though, that hasn't said "PCR", and so I wondered if they really know whether or not they have had one.  Anyone who's been testing for 17 years and is still concerned and talking about negative / normal / low  numbers (but hasn't said "a PCR has show no virus") needs to know if they've had a PCR, and so that was my advice.  If they have had one, fine.  If not, it's not so fine.

[ale72]

I had the test that looks for the virus and it was negative, in addition to liver function tests.  At first my doctor thought the antibody test was a false positive and he tested again.  It came back positive, so that's when he ran a battery of tests if the virus was actually active. I know you can go asymptomatic with Hep C and I haven't had any symptoms ever.  My doctor told me I was clear and go live my life.  I have seen 3 doctors concerning this matter.

I thank everyone for their responses.  You have all been a huge help.  I wish all of you peace and health.

[Pdilly]

I agree with Mremeet.   Sounds like you could have been exposed and possibly your body fought off the virus.  That does happen in some cases.   What tests lately has your doctor run to double check?

[mremeet]

I think the test for HCV wasn't developed until right around 1989/1990?? So you not testing postive for HCV 6 months prior to your donation in 1990 might be explained that way (i.e. you really had it, it's just they weren't testing for it at that particular time).

And yes, you can test postive for HCV antibodies, but otherwise test negative for the virus itself and also have normal bloodwork (including normal liver functions). About 20% of the people who are exposed to HCV clear it naturally on their own; they're the lucky ones. But they retain the HCV antibodies for a very long time, and I believe usually for life.

Bottomline is you should be fine, you lucked out! As long as your doctor gives you a clean bill of health, don't worry about it. Hope this helps, best of luck.

[chcnme]

Hi Ale, I'm sitting here thinking that it must have been hell on you to wonder all these years if you were or were not positive and to have gone to three doctors to assess your status.  The testing can be confusing,  but if you had a false positive and have seen three doctors on this matter and have been told you are clear, hopefully at least one of those three doctors DID DO a PCR, and if they didn't -- well, I think after seeing three docs and having been bogged down with the thoughts of this for so long, you deserve a break!  Yes - lol - go live your life and FORGET about Hep C. I feel for anyone who is sitting there wondering if they are positive and trying to interpret stuff on the www because reading about this on line can scare you to death, and if you aren't positive, whew.... be happy!  Be very happy!

Happy Holidays to you!