Recently Tested

[Realwomanallday]

I was recently tested at my gynecologist for Hepatitis C and the results were positive.  They told me that they ran an additional test to see what the enzyme levels were, and they were Normal.  They referred me to a liver specialist as they specialize in these medical conditions, but I do not go to the doctor until 3 weeks from now.  I have been reading all over the internet about the virus, but I am very confused about it all.  I am unsure how I contracted the virus and would like to know what does it mean that I am positive and the enzymes are Normal????  Thanks!

[Realwomanallday]

Thanks for the responsse...it shed more light on it...maybe i am stressing over nothing

[Idyllic]

It is difficult to determine what this all means since you do not indicated which test you had and you only mention one test. Testing positive for Hepatitis C does not necessarily mean you have the virus - only that you have been exposed to it and have the antibody.

Most doctors run the antibody first. So that is one test.
Next they run a PCR

Further by enzyme test do you mean your liver enzymes (Alt & Ast?) If so I am glad about your enzymes however they are not exactly related to the outcome of the other test you would have to determine you in fact have Hepatitis C. This is all based on how your post is written though. You might want to check your labs to be sure what it says. Lots of people make this mistake and think they have the virus when upon further testing they discover they only have the antibody.

I suppose your liver specialist will be able to let you know but if it were me I would ask the doctor's office to fax me my labs. You are going to want to start keeping copies of your labs from now on anyway.

Best of luck
Keep us posted

[Realwomanallday]

Thanks so much for your response.  I am not sure exactly what test was conducted, I was just told I tested positive for Hepatitis C and the enzyme test said that it was normal.

[Advocate1955]

Hi,
It's surprising to me that a gynecologist would test for Hep C, but if that is the case you are very fortunate to have discovered it as you could have gone for years or decades without knowing that you might have Hep C.  Do you know if your gynecologist ran a test for the Hep C antibodies only or if he/she ran a PCR test to see if you have a Hep C viral load?  Some people have had an exposure to Hep C at some point in their lives, but their body has been able to clear the virus, and they will always test positive for Hep C antibodies.  Some people have an exposure to Hep C and their body can't clear the virus, so they have a chronic Hep C viral infection.  This is discovered with a PCR (viral load) test to determine whether or not there is actually Hep C virus present in the blood stream.  It's great that you've been referred to a liver specialist, and he/she will be able to give you more information about your particular situation.  It's not important to worry about or speculate on how or when you contracted the Hep C virus, if in fact you have a chronic Hep C viral infection.  Many people have Hep C for years or decades before they learn they even have it and may never know how they contracted it.  It is transmitted through blood to blood contact, so the blood of a person who has Hep C has to come into contact with the blood of a person who does not have Hep C in order to transmit the infection.  Sometimes this type of contact occurs by sharing needles, from body piercings or tatoos using infected instruments, from receiving a transfusion years ago before blood was screened, etc.  So, the first thing to find out is whether you tested positive on the Hep C antibodies test only (which may mean that you had an exposure at one time but do not currently have a chronic infection) or whether you tested positive on a Hep C PCR or viral load test (which would mean that you may have a chronic Hep C infection).  Your liver specialist will help you sort all of that out and do whatever tests are necessary to determine your status and guide you in next steps.
Best wishes,
Advocate1955