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Hepatitis C (Expert Forum)
Inconsistent HCV Test Results after 6 Month Mark
Answered by
Douglas Dieterich, MD - Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York - NY
Questions posted in the Hepatitis C Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Inconsistent HCV Test Results after 6 Month Mark
by jh240, Aug 14, 2008 01:18PM
Hi Drs....I have had some really unsual test regarding Hep C and I am suffering a lot of anxiety:
Below is the chronology.
July 5 2007 - Possible exposure
Jan 2008 - Reactive Hep C anitbody test
Jan 2008 - Negative RNA PRC test
March 2008 - Non-reactive Hep C anitbody test
August 2008 - Reactive Hep C anitbody test
My doctor thought my first positive antibody test was a false positive since it unlikely the RNA PRC test would come up negative at 25 weeks, the time when infection is usually chronic.
The subsequent non-reactive anitbody test at 36 weeks confirmed his false postives suspicion...
or so we thought. Now over a year later from any possible risk, i once again get a reactive antibody test.
Any ideas? I had a Hep A and B vaccine in April 2008...could this be causing the reactive antibody test? Could it be a lab error? False Positives? Could I have cleared the virus? I find it very odd I would get a neg antibody and RNA PRC test months 3 months apart if I was indeed positive for hep C.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Below is the chronology.
July 5 2007 - Possible exposure
Jan 2008 - Reactive Hep C anitbody test
Jan 2008 - Negative RNA PRC test
March 2008 - Non-reactive Hep C anitbody test
August 2008 - Reactive Hep C anitbody test
My doctor thought my first positive antibody test was a false positive since it unlikely the RNA PRC test would come up negative at 25 weeks, the time when infection is usually chronic.
The subsequent non-reactive anitbody test at 36 weeks confirmed his false postives suspicion...
or so we thought. Now over a year later from any possible risk, i once again get a reactive antibody test.
Any ideas? I had a Hep A and B vaccine in April 2008...could this be causing the reactive antibody test? Could it be a lab error? False Positives? Could I have cleared the virus? I find it very odd I would get a neg antibody and RNA PRC test months 3 months apart if I was indeed positive for hep C.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Doctor's Answer
by Douglas Dieterich, MD, Aug 18, 2008 06:27AM
, Aug 18, 2008 06:27AMTo: jh 240
The only way to know for sure if you were exposed is the RIBA. The only way to know for sure if you are infected is the HCV RNA. I would recommend both.
low signal, probably <2. Ask your doctor for a confirmatory 'Riba' test. Recombinant
immunoblat assay. this is VERY specific for Hcv antibody. In your case, it will probably
be neg. A neg 'riba' means no antibody for Hcv is in your bloodstream.
You could also call 'request a test.' 1888-732-2348.