Question about antibody test and Riba

Hi,

Hope everyone is doing well here.  I had an antibody test about 3 weeks ago that came back positive with a value of 1.3.  I don't have the risk factors for Hep C so my doctor (at a different location than where I got the first test) ordered another antibody test, a liver enzyme test, and the RNA-PCR test.

My antibody test came back positive with a 1.4 value this time.  However, the liver enzyme test was normal, and the RNA-PCR test also came back undetectable.

So now I'm wondering if the antibody test could have been triggered false positive twice, caused by the same factors that caused it the first time.  Now I realize he should have ordered the RIBA test rather than just another antibody test.

Anyone have this experience?  Any ideas what might be going on here?

Thanks

[Jakied]

   Your + antibody test is, in ALL likelihood, a false +.  With a normal liver test (alt and

    ast), a neg pcr and a weak + screening test (<3), your riba will certainly be neg.

    the Riba test is VERY specific for Hep C antibody.  the screening test is VERY

     sensitive for antibodies and sometimes has a cross reaction with other antibodies.

     the same thing happened to me.  My screening test was 1.0, (very weak) and the

     Riba and pcr were neg.

     To put your mind at ease, ask your doctor for the Riba confirmatory test.  It will

      certainly be neg.  When that happens, stop testing, stop worrying and move on with

     life.

[nygirl7]

Your antibodies have nothing to do with having the virus = 20% of people who are infected have their own immune system kill off the actual virus.  This is consistent with what you are reporting - at one time you were positive, you did not know it and during this time your body killed off the virus.

You will always have the antibodies but if you do not have a viral load you do NOT have hepc any longer.

[James10500]

Congrats you whopped on your own

[MysterySeattle]

So basically if the Riba is positive it means it cleared on it's own, if it's negative it means I never had it?

Any chance the PCR could be undetectable now and become detectable later?  I thought I read somewhere the viral load fluctuates a lot.

[MysterySeattle]

Also, if I cleared it, can I still drink in moderation?  Or do the same rules apply for no drinking?  

[Jakied]

yes, a neg Riba means you never were exposed to hep c.

I have attached a qoute from 'the body' website, a doctor who answers qs .

   'If your Riba is neg, your Hcv antibody screening test is a false pos.  Riba is the gold

     standard.  This is reinforced by your neg pcr.  I would not say you cleared the virus.

      You never were infected if the Riba is neg.'

    

[MysterySeattle]

Thanks for the response.  So the next step is for me to get the Riba test and see what it says.  What if my Riba is positive and the PCR stays negative?  Then it would mean I cleared it during the acute phase correct?  So would it be ok to drink in moderation at that point?

[Jakied]

A pos Riba and neg Pcr typically means a previous infection with clearence.

You will keep the antibodies for a LONG time, maybe the rest of your life.  For some,

the antibodies disappear over several decades.  

Define 'alcohol in moderation' for me.

[MysterySeattle]

Well moderation used to mean drinking 1-3 drinks once, sometimes twice a week with dinner, and then perhaps 5-6 drinks once a month at a party.  Actually it used to mean more than that, but I've slowed that down over the last few years.  I'm 26 so my friends and I still party from time to time.  I've also got a bachelor party in New Orleans in July that I just finished planning.  Ugh, my friends are good at putting on the peer pressure when the whole group is together like that.  (Normally not a problem, but it would be interesting if I have to explain not drinking to them).

[MysterySeattle]

By interesting I mean that they wouldn't understand if I suddenly wasn't drinking (without telling them about Hep C, which I don't want to do)

[Jakied]

If your Riba is positive and pcr neg, that means you had a previous infection with Hcv

and cleared it, either on your own or with treatment.

Anyone who has or had (past tense) Hcv probably has, at least some, liver damage.

Alcohol and a damaged liver are a BAD combination.  It is your choice to drink or not.

you are a big boy and must take responsibility for your actions.

[MysterySeattle]

Does anyone know if the RIBA test is legal in the US?  Apparently the lab tech said they can't administer it, but it looks approved on the FDA website.

[MysterySeattle]

NM, found out that the company that makes the RIBA reagent has a backorder right now and they don't know when it will be resolved. So no testing with RIBA right now, but it is still approved.

[Jakied]

    of course the riba test is legal in the US.  the red Cross uses it to test blood donations.

[MysterySeattle]

Yeah, that's why I was so surprised when the tech said they could no longer administer it, and the person who called me said it wasn't allowed.  That's why you do your own research though, can't always trust the people who are supposed to know.