Generally you see a specialist here in the U.S. from a doctor's referral but it isn't always necessary.
A PCR can be a false POSITIVE. If your PCR came back negative I would say you're good. I could be wrong about the false NEGATIVE but I haven't heard of that being a possibility.
I would phrase your comment differently. You can be positive for Hep C antibodies but be negative for the virus itself, yes. It means you were exposed to, or had Hep C at some point but managed to clear it on your own without any treatment. It happens in approximately 15% of cases.
The fact your PCR is negative means you don't have Hep C.
you mean a PCR can be a false NEGATIVE?, Trish? Because mine came back negative - there is no sensitivity given on my lab results, just that it's qualitative. The only reason I was taking the antibody test again to see if the initial "indeterminate" was a "fluke" or if it was indicating that something is "up with my blood" (as counselors have described it) I thought at the time that taking the PCR would be definitive as far as if I have the virus or not, (the antibodies, of course, are a different story)....but apparently there can even be error on this incredibly expensive test.....
Franke - no, they haven't been insistent that I have it....I was saying that some are telling me to get over it and believe the PCR and others are suggesting that there can always be error with PCRs. I have already had TWO antibody tests and both came back indeterminate.
So, tell me if this is right: You can be positive for Hep C on an antibody test but be negative to the virus itself?
your advice was more thorough than mine. If he has the antibodies that next step would be to see a gastro and so on-ofcourse. Thats what I meant-I just didn't know how to say it-cheers
Symptoms for Hep C? I had a blood transfusion in 68 and a tatto. Married 40 years, 3 kids, worked every day of my life and was never ill. Had a blood test and tested positive for Hep C-well I had the antibodies. Then a full panel was done, PCR fibrospect, ultra soud etc. etc.. I never used I.V. drugs-ever and never had sexual relations outside my marriage. No point in lying. So I was told I got it during the tatto or blood transfusion and since I am self employed and never sick I had no reason to go to the doctor. But a little over 4 years ago I decided to take out another life insurance policy on myself and was screened.
What counselors are you seeing? I don't mean to be nosey but they seem determined that you have Hep C. Just go to any clinic and ask to be tested for Hep C antibodies. NyGirl? does this sound like good advice? Mike? Rockerforlife?
Furthermore..here in Canada you can't see those kinds of doctors without your family doctor referring you and I think it's the same in the U.S., you need a referral - do you not? Do you have a GP - a General Practitioner - overseeing your day-to-day care or are you completely managing your own care?
I'm a little confused....but I'll take a stab at this. If you want to see if you "cleared" .. I'm not sure why you'd go for a second antibody test instead of a second PCR. If you had exposure to Hep C and cleared it, you will always have antibodies. So you can test for antibodies til the cows come home and you'll still always have antibodies IF you had Hep C and cleared it. If you want to find out if you CLEARED Hep C, then you want to do a PCR to detect actual virus in the blood. Apparently, yes, a PCR can be a false positive. What was the sensitivity of your Qualitative PCR, as in were they testing for detection down to <50, <15, <5? What was the sensitivity?
I'm not sure what kind of doctor you should go to. If you think your blood is the problem, I think that's a hematologist. If you think your blood is where the answer lies to your problem, that's a whole other story. If you think you have a liver disease, which is what Hepatitis is, then you'd see a gastroenterologist for starters and if you DO have Hep C, which I doubt, you would see a Hepatologist - a gastroenterologist who specializes in liver disease and treatment of Hepatitis.