Aa
spontaneous clearance or false positive?
If some of you knowledgeable people can give me some insight, I would greatly appreciate it. Here are my questions:
1. Can someone spontaneously clear HCV by 14 weeks? That is when I first tested + for antibodies, negative for PCR
2. Do people who clear HCV have weakly positive antibodies in them, or does the antibody number stay significant once cleared?
3. How long does it typically take for one to clear? 6 months?
4. Could two weakly positive antibody tests be false positives? (1.04, 1.15, with a 1.00 cutoff)
The reason I ask all of this is because the 2nd GI specialist I went to believes I cleared the virus from an exposure sometime in the past (even though I have no risk factors), and not from the needle prick incident from March. That incident is the reason I got tested in the first place. He thinks 14 weeks would be too soon to clear and the PCR would've been detected first.
If I was exposed from the Vascular Surgeon, I feel that I should call and tell him he exposed me, so it doesn't happen to anyone else!!! This is bothering me, although I may never know that answer. :/ God forbid he exposed someone else and they didn't clear the virus!
My history is:
March 13, while injecting my varicose veins (sclerotherapy), the vascular surgeon accidentally pricked his own finger, through his glove, and continued injecting into my veins with that same needle. This is why I got tested.
13 weeks after antibody + 1.04 (1.00 cutoff)
13.5 weeks after - antibody - (different lab than first test)
14 weeks after - PCR undetected
18 weeks after - antibody + 1.15 (1.00 cutoff, from first lab that I tested +)
18 weeks after - PCR undetected
I am absolutely celebrating that I do not have the virus. I feel very lucky. I just wouldn't want someone to be potentially exposed from that doc and not be so lucky.
The GI doc confirmed that I have no virus, and just wants to follow up in 6 months. I pointed out my 2 weakly positive antibody scores and he disregarded them, saying they aren't false positives. He also does not think that I was exposed from the needle prick, but from the past and I just have very weak antibodies remaining in my system that may show up weakly positive, or sometimes negative. I'm not sure if that is how it works?
I wanted to get some of your input to my questions, I know many of you are well read and informed on testing and such. He wasn't very forthcoming with info and I found it interesting he wasn't taking my weakly positive results, or lack of risks into account. I am bothered because if it was the vascular surgeon that may have exposed me, I would want to prevent it from happening to someone else. I have also read that weakly positive tests can be false, but I don't know about 2?
I didn't tell the doctor, since I just recalled this, but I was tested for HCV in '06 and '08 when I banked my cord blood after the birth of my two sons. They check for HCV and would've called if something was wrong. Same with a life insurance test I took in '08. So, if I was exposed, it would've been in the last 7 years, and the only risk factor I have is from that needle stick in March, which is frustrating.
Thank you for your input. You have all been so helpful and caring. I would want to potentially help someone else that this may happen to, and prevent it if possible.
1. Can someone spontaneously clear HCV by 14 weeks? That is when I first tested + for antibodies, negative for PCR
2. Do people who clear HCV have weakly positive antibodies in them, or does the antibody number stay significant once cleared?
3. How long does it typically take for one to clear? 6 months?
4. Could two weakly positive antibody tests be false positives? (1.04, 1.15, with a 1.00 cutoff)
The reason I ask all of this is because the 2nd GI specialist I went to believes I cleared the virus from an exposure sometime in the past (even though I have no risk factors), and not from the needle prick incident from March. That incident is the reason I got tested in the first place. He thinks 14 weeks would be too soon to clear and the PCR would've been detected first.
If I was exposed from the Vascular Surgeon, I feel that I should call and tell him he exposed me, so it doesn't happen to anyone else!!! This is bothering me, although I may never know that answer. :/ God forbid he exposed someone else and they didn't clear the virus!
My history is:
March 13, while injecting my varicose veins (sclerotherapy), the vascular surgeon accidentally pricked his own finger, through his glove, and continued injecting into my veins with that same needle. This is why I got tested.
13 weeks after antibody + 1.04 (1.00 cutoff)
13.5 weeks after - antibody - (different lab than first test)
14 weeks after - PCR undetected
18 weeks after - antibody + 1.15 (1.00 cutoff, from first lab that I tested +)
18 weeks after - PCR undetected
I am absolutely celebrating that I do not have the virus. I feel very lucky. I just wouldn't want someone to be potentially exposed from that doc and not be so lucky.
The GI doc confirmed that I have no virus, and just wants to follow up in 6 months. I pointed out my 2 weakly positive antibody scores and he disregarded them, saying they aren't false positives. He also does not think that I was exposed from the needle prick, but from the past and I just have very weak antibodies remaining in my system that may show up weakly positive, or sometimes negative. I'm not sure if that is how it works?
I wanted to get some of your input to my questions, I know many of you are well read and informed on testing and such. He wasn't very forthcoming with info and I found it interesting he wasn't taking my weakly positive results, or lack of risks into account. I am bothered because if it was the vascular surgeon that may have exposed me, I would want to prevent it from happening to someone else. I have also read that weakly positive tests can be false, but I don't know about 2?
I didn't tell the doctor, since I just recalled this, but I was tested for HCV in '06 and '08 when I banked my cord blood after the birth of my two sons. They check for HCV and would've called if something was wrong. Same with a life insurance test I took in '08. So, if I was exposed, it would've been in the last 7 years, and the only risk factor I have is from that needle stick in March, which is frustrating.
Thank you for your input. You have all been so helpful and caring. I would want to potentially help someone else that this may happen to, and prevent it if possible.
Thank you. Best to you as well. Thank you for all of your help and responses. Take Care.
I received my results from LabCorp, please help me interepret:
HCV Ab w/Rflx to Verification- 0.1 s/c ratio 0.0-0.9
Comment: Non reactive HCV antibody screen is consistent with no HCV infection, unless recent infection is suspected or other evidence exists to indicate HCV infection.
HCV Antibody Verification - non reactive
comment: This assay is offered to provide verification of a posiitve HCV antibody screen obtained using the Siemens Advia Centaur HCV assay or other reagent with comparable sensitivity and specificity. Because the verification methodology is Roche ECLIA, this assay cannot be used to verify an initial screen performed with the Roche methodology.
Antinuclear Antibodies, IFA - negative
Do all of these mean that my initial 2 positive low anti scores were false positive?
The gastro doc didn't order this test, and I hope he is familiar with it. He ordered the RIBA, that wasn't available, but thanks to advice here, I called LabCorp and they gave me the code for the HCV antibody verification and did it. I am assuming it is equivalent to the RIBA?
HCV Ab w/Rflx to Verification- 0.1 s/c ratio 0.0-0.9
Comment: Non reactive HCV antibody screen is consistent with no HCV infection, unless recent infection is suspected or other evidence exists to indicate HCV infection.
HCV Antibody Verification - non reactive
comment: This assay is offered to provide verification of a posiitve HCV antibody screen obtained using the Siemens Advia Centaur HCV assay or other reagent with comparable sensitivity and specificity. Because the verification methodology is Roche ECLIA, this assay cannot be used to verify an initial screen performed with the Roche methodology.
Antinuclear Antibodies, IFA - negative
Do all of these mean that my initial 2 positive low anti scores were false positive?
The gastro doc didn't order this test, and I hope he is familiar with it. He ordered the RIBA, that wasn't available, but thanks to advice here, I called LabCorp and they gave me the code for the HCV antibody verification and did it. I am assuming it is equivalent to the RIBA?
Thanks, I am sooooo grateful not to have the virus. I understand that the antibodies pose no risk to myself or my family. The reason I want to know if I ever was infected is if in case I exposed my kids while I was infected. I nursed them both and had a tough time with cracked/bleeding nipples, and I have no idea when I could have been infected without any risk factors. The only risk I have ever had was the accidental needle stick I got in March, but the gastro doesn't think I have antibodies from then, but from a long time ago. The antibody verification test should tell the story. I know household contact is very low risk as well as giving birth with it, but I feel like I need to know whether I ever had it, or not.
Congrats on not having the virus. You need not to worry about your family even if you do have the antibodies. As long as you don't have the virus you have nothing to pass along. Best.
There is a typo in my first paragraph. It says, I have the virus. I don't have the virus, just the antibodies. I am trying to confirm whether I was ever exposed and cleared, or if they were false positives. I feel like I need to know for my family and whether they should test.
No, not kidding. This has been an interesting/frustrating journey. I have the virus, theI am so grateful for the knowledge I have learned here. I have come to realize that the doctors I've been sent to don't know much about hep c, testing, and don't look at the whole picture. I am in a very affluent area (Orange County, CA) maybe it's because I have an HMO, I'm not sure.
I have been told I definitely have hcv when my barely positive anti score (1.04) came back positive. Then it was PCR negative, but was told the virus didn't have time to replicate since it was only 14 weeks after, and he can't give me a negative result. After another negative pcr at 18 weeks after needle stick, I was then told I don't have the virus, but was infected and cleared years ago (without any risk factors), disregarding the needle stick which is why I ever got tested.
Both of my anti tests were very weakly positive and all I have learned about that is that they are usually false positives and cross reacting. The doc disregarded that without ever even considering the extremely low scores. When I requested the RIBA, Quest had a hard time finding the code, then apparently found it.
When I called to get my results, the nurse said it was negative, but she didn't see the word RIBA...I asked if the test I took was for confirmation of hep c and that it came back negative, resulting in a false positive, she said yes. I then called quest since she didn't seem to know what was going on, and they said they never ran the test and threw out my blood since my doc never responded to their fax. The test she was reading was for an auto immune disorder.
I did make a copy of my lab slip, so I took it to lab corp and even though my slip said RIBA, they wrote their code on it for the antibody verification test (which I believe is equivalent) and will be testing to see if it was a false positive.
I think I will just wait for the email from lab corp for my results, rather than call the docs office. The girl answering the test results line clearly doesn't know what she is reading. I wonder what she tells people that don't educate themselves, or look up the tests she mentions as being negative, when it is for something else completely different. Pretty crazy.
I have been told I definitely have hcv when my barely positive anti score (1.04) came back positive. Then it was PCR negative, but was told the virus didn't have time to replicate since it was only 14 weeks after, and he can't give me a negative result. After another negative pcr at 18 weeks after needle stick, I was then told I don't have the virus, but was infected and cleared years ago (without any risk factors), disregarding the needle stick which is why I ever got tested.
Both of my anti tests were very weakly positive and all I have learned about that is that they are usually false positives and cross reacting. The doc disregarded that without ever even considering the extremely low scores. When I requested the RIBA, Quest had a hard time finding the code, then apparently found it.
When I called to get my results, the nurse said it was negative, but she didn't see the word RIBA...I asked if the test I took was for confirmation of hep c and that it came back negative, resulting in a false positive, she said yes. I then called quest since she didn't seem to know what was going on, and they said they never ran the test and threw out my blood since my doc never responded to their fax. The test she was reading was for an auto immune disorder.
I did make a copy of my lab slip, so I took it to lab corp and even though my slip said RIBA, they wrote their code on it for the antibody verification test (which I believe is equivalent) and will be testing to see if it was a false positive.
I think I will just wait for the email from lab corp for my results, rather than call the docs office. The girl answering the test results line clearly doesn't know what she is reading. I wonder what she tells people that don't educate themselves, or look up the tests she mentions as being negative, when it is for something else completely different. Pretty crazy.
I just found out that the test was never run. Quest still couldn't figure out which test to run and tried to contact my doctors office via fax. They never responded and they discarded my blood! Geez! I guess I can go to lab corp if I want to know if it is a true false positive.
The test result came back negative, which confirms my two positive tests were false positives. I am putting all of this behind me now. The nurse that said everything came back normal/negative said that it was an ANA/ISA test for hepatitis. When I was at Quest, they had a hard time finding the RIBA, but called the lab and they gave them a new code. I guess this test is another way to check for specific HCV antibodies instead of the RIBA...not sure, but she confirmed that all is good. I will not be testing my kids or husband out of precaution now and am chalking this up to cross reactivity on the antibody tests. Thanks again for everything!
From what I have read, it looks like 6 - 18 months is the period to be sure about spontaneous clearing.I base that on two things:
1. The Information which says to be sure you have Hep C one should test at or after 6 months. It is measure able bed or that but, after 6 months, if it still tests positive, then you do have Hep C.
2. For those children born to Hep C mothers, the recommendation for testing the infant to know whether the child has Hep C is to wait until the child is at least 18 months old.
For adults, I would expect the 6 months (24 weeks) is sufficient, as if you have it, the test will show positive by then.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Pat
1. The Information which says to be sure you have Hep C one should test at or after 6 months. It is measure able bed or that but, after 6 months, if it still tests positive, then you do have Hep C.
2. For those children born to Hep C mothers, the recommendation for testing the infant to know whether the child has Hep C is to wait until the child is at least 18 months old.
For adults, I would expect the 6 months (24 weeks) is sufficient, as if you have it, the test will show positive by then.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Pat
I knew you would have a good resource for me, thank you. You are very knowledgeable and helpful. Like most, I hate the unknown, and want to know if I was ever exposed and was extremely lucky, or just all a big mistake. I know I am low risk even with the needle stick, and I read in some previous posts that the CDC previously had reported almost 80% of weakly positives are false. That's pretty high and shocking! I guess antibody tests aren't so reliable...
Before I had read your responses, I had asked the doc for the RIBA (which I read was unavailable in the US), but the doc ordered it, and when I went to Quest, at first they couldn't find a code and said they hadn't done it in a long time, but they called in and got the code. They still do it. So, now I am waiting on those results.
I am going to report that doctor. Regardless of whether he exposed me, using a dirty needle on someone is concerning and I don't want anyone to go through this. Thanks for the advice. I have learned a great deal through all of this. Thankfully to many of you helping me and calming my anxiety.
Does anyone know if 14 weeks is too soon to spontaneously clear? I was surprised by the specialist disregarding that scenario, thinking I had it earlier in life.
Thanks again for all of your advice and input. I will let you know how it turns out once the doc calls me.
Before I had read your responses, I had asked the doc for the RIBA (which I read was unavailable in the US), but the doc ordered it, and when I went to Quest, at first they couldn't find a code and said they hadn't done it in a long time, but they called in and got the code. They still do it. So, now I am waiting on those results.
I am going to report that doctor. Regardless of whether he exposed me, using a dirty needle on someone is concerning and I don't want anyone to go through this. Thanks for the advice. I have learned a great deal through all of this. Thankfully to many of you helping me and calming my anxiety.
Does anyone know if 14 weeks is too soon to spontaneously clear? I was surprised by the specialist disregarding that scenario, thinking I had it earlier in life.
Thanks again for all of your advice and input. I will let you know how it turns out once the doc calls me.
Just copy your posts and answers and attach to the complaint forum.
Hrsepwrguy just gave you the link to complete your complaint.
Good Luck…. let us know how it turns out.
Hrsepwrguy just gave you the link to complete your complaint.
Good Luck…. let us know how it turns out.
This is from Lab Corp if you really need verification
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Verification
Test Number: 144090
Use
Since as many as 90% of commercial intravenous immunoglobulins test positive for hepatitis C antibody, an artifactual positive can result briefly after transfusion. Following the development of sensitive and specific testing for hepatitis B, 90% of post-transfusion hepatitis is now hepatitis C. A gene product (c100) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was isolated and an assay for anti-HCV developed. The assay detects antibody to presumptive togavirus, which may be an etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (which may not be a unitary disease entity).
Limitations
Testing for HCV antibodies is to assess past or present exposure to hepatitis C virus infection; additional testing for the hepatitis virus is required to determine acute or active infection.
https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hACzO_QCM_IwMLXyM3AyNjMycDU2dXQwN3M6B8JG55AwMCuv088nNT9SP1o8zjQ11Ngg09LY0N_N2DjQw8g439TfyM_MzMLAz0Q_QjXYCKIvEqKsiNKDfUDVQEAAzyjqE!/dl2/d1/L0lJWXBwZyEhL3dIRUJGUUFnc2FBRUJyQ0svWUk1eWx3ISEvN19VRTRTMUk5MzBPR1MyMElTM080TjJONjY4MC92aWV3VGVzdA!!/?testId=3758866#7_UE4S1I930OGS20IS3O4N2N6680
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Verification
Test Number: 144090
Use
Since as many as 90% of commercial intravenous immunoglobulins test positive for hepatitis C antibody, an artifactual positive can result briefly after transfusion. Following the development of sensitive and specific testing for hepatitis B, 90% of post-transfusion hepatitis is now hepatitis C. A gene product (c100) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was isolated and an assay for anti-HCV developed. The assay detects antibody to presumptive togavirus, which may be an etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (which may not be a unitary disease entity).
Limitations
Testing for HCV antibodies is to assess past or present exposure to hepatitis C virus infection; additional testing for the hepatitis virus is required to determine acute or active infection.
https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hACzO_QCM_IwMLXyM3AyNjMycDU2dXQwN3M6B8JG55AwMCuv088nNT9SP1o8zjQ11Ngg09LY0N_N2DjQw8g439TfyM_MzMLAz0Q_QjXYCKIvEqKsiNKDfUDVQEAAzyjqE!/dl2/d1/L0lJWXBwZyEhL3dIRUJGUUFnc2FBRUJyQ0svWUk1eWx3ISEvN19VRTRTMUk5MzBPR1MyMElTM080TjJONjY4MC92aWV3VGVzdA!!/?testId=3758866#7_UE4S1I930OGS20IS3O4N2N6680
You have asked lots of questions. After reading your very detailed post of events I see that you have learn a great deal form this forum. I remember you and our many discussion concerning your situation.
You believe that you were infected by a doctor. This seems to be your biggest concern due to the fact he/she says your must have had the virus before the needle stick.
Contact the California Medical Board an make your complaint. If you do
believe this has happened this would be the first place to go. You can fill out the complaint forum and if merit it seen in your complaint it will be investigated.
Californian
You believe that you were infected by a doctor. This seems to be your biggest concern due to the fact he/she says your must have had the virus before the needle stick.
Contact the California Medical Board an make your complaint. If you do
believe this has happened this would be the first place to go. You can fill out the complaint forum and if merit it seen in your complaint it will be investigated.
Californian
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