Hepatitus Blood Test Panel

How do I decipher this hepatitus (hepatitis) panel report?
Hepatitus (hepatitis) C Antibody - Reactive 26.30  Reference Range = 8.0.

Would the results of this test have any bearing on the fact that I was given the Hepatitus (hepatitis) Virus shot (1 shot of a 3 shot series) prior to the Hepatitus (hepatitis) Panel Test being run? I was given my first hep shot on 8/27 and then the doctor ordered a Hepatitus (hepatitis) Panel test on 9/3.

[Marcia2202]

No, as there is no shot for hepatitis C.

There are two possibilities. Either you have had hepatitis C at a time in your life and cleared it by yourself... or...you have hepatitis C.

The next move would be to have a PCR test to determine, if you have active virus in your blood. If you don't it means you most probably do not have hep c and you should do this test again after 6 months to be absolutely sure.

If you do have active virus, that would mean that you have hepatitis C. This would determine your viral load (VL) meaning how much virus there is in your blood. The next step would be to determine the genotype (which type of hepatitis c) there are several genotypes with 1, 2, 3 and 4 (mainly in Egypt) being the most common. The genotype is to determine how long one should treat. The viral load is used to monitor treatment and has nothing to do with how much damage the virus has done to the liver. A liver biopsy determines the damage.

[cindermite]

I just thought that since they gave me the Hep vaccine (1st shot) that it gave me antibodies which showed up in the Hep Panel Test..I have a consulatation with a GI this week..I am in denial because I do not have any of the symptoms and am a very healthy 54 yr old, physically and mentally.

[Marcia2202]

The problem about hep c is that there usually are no symptoms, so many people find out when it is sometimes too late.  I was healthy before I found out and must have had it for 25 years or so. That's why they call it the silent killer. It moves slowly but sure.... :-(