hcv test results and questions

Question

hello,
the doctor advised me that I had some liver damage. he requested I take tests for a liver panel, hep b and rna hep c. I am scared as you can imagine..i read that hep c is primarily among drug users, but that doesn't describe me. I am gay, but use condoms. the funny thing is that my doc completed a hcv test (I think) and it came back NON REACTIVE. Since my liver, according to the tests, showed damage, wouldn't this test come back REACTIVE if I had the damage already? My body should be producing antibodies to fight It off? Im confused

Liver Results:
Ast (Sgot): 53 U/L 
Alt (Sgpt): 110 U/L 

Hepatitis C Ab: NON-REACTIVE 

All the tests were taken at the same time. I am obese according to the BMI, so not sure if that can be contributed. im 5'7 220 BMI 35.1

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

Scaredinsf361 · Answer

???

Scaredinsf361 · Answer

So 4 months negative oraquick is not reliable?

Dbzc2 · Answer

You do NOT have to be a drug addict to get hep c! Blood borne from any source, razors, toothbrushes, sex, sex during a period with girl (for non-gay), etc... Just know you are not alone and there is more MIS-information than real information! The disease was officially named 1989, so it's relatively new! That means any disease that is not called cancer and can be deadly, especially if infectious, people take in the bad and don't bother being educated. Be your best advocate! Know the facts so you can educate others.

Not everyone that gets this disease converts to chronic active! So look at the CDC.ORG and NIH.ORG websites and start reading. I wish you well.

Best, dbz

Not everyone that gets this disease converts to chronic active!  So look at the CDC.ORG and NIH.ORG websites and start reading.  I wish you well.

Best, dbz

ineedhelp415 · Answer

Thank you.

So these tests were taken during the first week of April. I just came back from a clinic who offers HCV Oraquick Rapid testing. The result was NEGATIVE. My last sexual encounter was in April, but no blood contact. I have a few questions.

1. Since my doctor's test were administered in April and found to have had liver damage, wouldn't my rapid test have come back reactive?

2. I checked my childhood immunization records and I was vaccinated against Hep B when I was 10 years old.....is the shot still effective? Im 26 now.

3. What is the window period for HCV and are the Oraquick exams reliable?


Thank you again for your understanding and your time.

mhudnall · Answer

Obesity can cause liver damage. It is called steatosis or fatty liver. The medical term is NASH, which is advanced NAFLD.

FibroScans will tell you where you are at and you can use FibroScans to monitor your disease every six months. And insurance pays for it.

MIke