Hep C antibodies

[hungga]

Recently I had a life inurance policy renewal and on my test it said positive for the hep c antibodies, it was very low it said weak/positive, but I have never had hep c? My mother did have some form of Hep when she was a teen and she doesnt even know how she got it at the time she was 14 and almost died but she just overcame it somehow and  lived and continued on with her life she is still alive now in her 60's. I have never been in a high risk category or profession, I am married with 2 young children and never have sexual realtions outside my marriage. My doctor did a RIBA test and it came back non-reative, he tends to believe that I have always had the hep c antibodies passed along from my mother. I also spoke to the insurance company and they told me it was negative no hep c or else we would have never given you a policy. The onlt think I can think of is that I got this from a dentist appointment etc.

Me on the other hand Im scared, panicked and cant get it off my mind, what does this mean? can antibodies develop into Hep C? both my grandparents died of liver disease and I dont know what to do.


My doctor says he is not conderned because my liver enzymes are fine and there is no active virus, what do i do next?

[hungga]

THANK YOU I went there and feel allot better now, and good luck to you and your husband I read your post on his condition.

Thanks Again

[eureka254]

Yes, non-reactive = negative.  Medical tests are one of those weird things when 'negative' is good.  And, generally, antibodies stay with you.  You might find this link helpful in explaining your test results:

http://www.janis7hepc.com/labs1.htm#neutro

[hungga]

deos nonreactive mean that it is negative? and if so do the antibodies ever go away?

[eureka254]

"Insurance ... told me it was negative, no hep C or they would have never given you a policy"... "My doctor says he is not concerned... there is no active virus."
----------------------
The presence of antibodies does NOT mean you have hep C... it's more likely you're one of the lucky people that may have had exposure and cleared the virus on your own. (Or, as your doctor says, it's possible you inherited the antibodies, and not the virus!)  I really think you have no need to worry.

And if you find you can't stop thinking about it, educate yourself about Hep C (keep in mind that May 19th is Hep awarenessday), and you'll feel better when you get the facts.

best wishes
~eureka