Positive - Negative - Negative (What does my test result mean?)

[NewNervous]

Regular blood donor with no notifications.  Most recent donation was July.

Hep B Core AB Total - Positive
Hep C Antibody IA - Negative
HBsAG - Negative
Hep B Surface AB, Qual - Negative

The following was noted under the Hep B Surface AB:

A negative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody is indicative of:
1) no prior exposure to HBV,
2) lack of antibody response to an acute or chronic HBV infection,
3) lack of antibody response to HBV vaccination, or,
4) loss of immunity that followed either vaccination or infection.

Would someone please tell me what this result means?  The Red Cross has never told me I have an issue.  My AST/ALT levels are in the teens.

My doctor hasn't returned any of my phone calls or contact attempts regarding the test result.  The office told me they would contact me with any issues if they popped up on my bloodwork.  Since the office and doctor have not contacted me, I'm not sure what I'm looking at when I read the results.

Any insight would be greatly appreciative.  Thanks!

[NewNervous]

Hi Stephen!  

Thanks for the response!  I'm truly grateful for this community and your willingness to respond.  Additional results posted today--Hep Be Ab:Negative.  I'm guessing this also adds to the idea that a prior infection resolved and lost the immunity?  Although, I don't really understand how you lose immunity when you had it...  

Anyhow, I realized I hadn't told you why the specialist wanted my detailed travel info (and their interest in my time in specific areas).  Mostly it seemed like they were trying to do preventative work.  For example, if I was infected during one of my travel trips, the time stamp would be important to evaluate if I had contracted other diseases at the same time that were prevelant in that region.  I think I explained that correctly.  After the appointment, I was referred to Infectious Diseases so that I could get the recommended vaccinations for the places I travel most.  Doc wants to protect my liver at all costs!

Thanks again for your help.  I wish I could give you a hug!  This news has been a unexpected and a bit scary.  I'm mostly on my own since my family is in another state and my boyfriend seems to have jumped ship (I think the news was just too much for him).  

Have a great day!  Off to do some research on my own to better understand what's happening in my body.

[StephenCastlecrag]

Hep B core AB, IgM is usually positive when you are having acute Hepatitis B. By testing negative, it just ruled out that you are in the middle of acute Hepatitis. If there is no test result concerning HbsAg, it means they have ruled out the acute Hepatitis B as well and you are where you were: a prior infection, fully recovered, but lost the immunity that usually came with a full recovery (no antibodies).

[NewNervous]

Hi Stephen.

Saw the specialist yesterday.  He didn't appear to be concerned.  Like you noted in your response, he felt I likely had a prior infection and lost immunity but he also said there was a chance of being chronic.  I was given the 1st of the 3 booster shots for Hep A & B in the hopes that it could give me immunity.  He mentioned I have an 85% chance of it working if I fall into the category he felt I did.  The lab took 11 viles of blood for various tests and I was told some would be in for review in 2 weeks and the rest in 4.  Today they started posting.  Beyond my cholesteral dropping 106 points to go back into normal range, I can see that I'm seriously vitamin D deficient and iron anemic.  Unlike my previous Hep test which had the 3 negatives and 1 positive--this test only lists 1.  It says, "Hep B Core AB, IgM - Negative" and notes normal result is negative.  I was pumped with so much info yesterday I've found my notes confusing.  Is this a retest that would mean I'm a false positive?  Or does this suggest that I'm chronic?  My notes point to chronic...  Any thoughts would be appreciative.  This weekend is going to drive me insane with wondering where I stand.  

[NewNervous]

Thank you Stephen.  I appreciate your responses.  I am from the US.  It wasn't the blood bank that gave me results,  It was a hospital.  I had a previous bought of nausea/vomiting/pale stools for almost 3 weeks that required IV's and medication. At that time my AST level went to 50 from 11. My ALT was normal.  My AST is now 11 again.  Preceeding that was a very bad sore throat and headcold. Then I went back for what I thought was strep throat.  The doctor thought CMV or Mono but ordered a few extra tests as well.  She was just as surprised as I was because she was convinved it was CMV.  I was on a medication that was stopped because it has a rare side effect of hepatitis.  My parents weren't very good about keeping records of my vaccinations--we moved a lot.  They thought I had been vaccinated for Hepatitis A & B in the past.  

I'm not sure what to expect at the specialist appt. I was told there would be an intake and then I'd see the doctor.  Perhaps more blood work.

Thanks again for your insights.

[NewNervous]

Thank you for the additional information.  I really appreciate it!  

The specialist's office called to schedule my intake and appt.  They seem to be interested in my travels to China, Japan, and Israel.  I was also asked if my family has a history of liver disease.  

A family member is a nurse and suggested it could be viral hepatitis.  Is that a possibility?  I'm not sure I understand the difference between viral and B.

As for the doctor that suggested that I must still have an active Hep B virus--she said if I had developed immunity to the virus I would've tested positive in one of the two places I tested negative.  Since I hadn't--it was still likely active and she mentioned I'd be contagious.