Difference between Anti-HBc and IgM anti-HBc

[sturfry]

I recently tested negative to HBsAg and to IgM anti-HBc. I'm not sure how to interpret this. It could mean:

-I have never had Hepatitis B and currently susceptible
-I have had it in the past, cleared the virus, and currently immune

If I had it in the past, is there a way to tell how recently I had it? What other tests should I have done?

[StephenCastlecrag]

Is it possible to test negative for IgM anti-HBc and positive for anti-HBc?

Yes, people with previous (recovered) or current (chronic) Hepatitis B can test negative for Anti-HBc IgM  and positive for anti-HBc. If you also test negative for HBsAg, it means you have previously been infected with HBV but have recovered or the Anti-HBc was a false positive and you were never infected.

I don't know what is meant by "low-level" chronic infection - to resolve that you will have to measure your hbvdna. But healthwise, the 4 possible cases are all similar.

[sturfry]

Thanks for the info Stephen.

Is it possible to test negative for IgM anti-HBc and positive for anti-HBc? I'm confused because both appear in all the serologic charts. But in none of the charts to they tell you what it means if you're negative on HBsAg as well as negative on IgM anti-HBc.

I'm concerned that I might be positive for anti-HBc despite being negative on IgM anti-HBc. If I'm positive on anti-HBc then there are many possible results. Per this chart... http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/PDFs/SerologicChartv8.pdf

Any additional information you can provide would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[StephenCastlecrag]

You don't have HepB and have not been infected before. It is unclear whether you were vaccinated because you did not test for anti-HBsAg.