seems I'll never get a real answer...

Been dealing with hepatitis C stuff now for 8 months.  First I was having some of the symptoms and got all scared thinking that maybe one sexual experience could have been that rare instance where I might have received it.  (and I have none of the risks for HCV)  Waited 6 months before I got an antibody test.  the ELISA was low reactive, and the RIBA was indeterminate.  Not wanting to wait a month to re-test for the antibodies, I paid tons of money for a PCR and that came back negative.  QUALITATIVE PCR.  Now I sent in a second antibody test just to see if it "cleared"[this is the term used often from counselors I spoke to] - that there could be "something up with my blood"....just wanted to make sure.  Well, it turns out I have an indeterminate again.  The CDC says that one negative PCR is not sufficient to give a true negative result.  The testing company I did the PCR test through said that that's not true and that I don't have it.  So, if it's "indeterminate" that means that ANTIBODIES were found for HCV or that "SOMETHING" was found that resembled HCV antibodies and "we can't say either way".....  Which one is it?  Is it that antibodies WERE found or SOMETHING was found?  

Second - do you think the PCR is reliable?

What kind of a doctor should I go to to get more expert advice to see what is "up with my blood"??  

[Trish77]

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.

[Trish77]

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?

[franke566]

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?  

[franke566]

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

[wildtruffle]

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?

[Trish77]

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.  

[orphanedhawk]

Generally you see a specialist here in the U.S. from a doctor's referral but it isn't always necessary.