It Seems its Negative

[VeryConfused990]

Hi All,

A couple of weeks ago I posted in a thread called "Routine Health Check Threw Hepatitis C at Me" that I had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I went in and insisted on confirmation test. I insisted they do a viral RNA test. Anyway, the results are as follows:

HCV antibody test +ve
HCV radioimmuno acid test -ve
HCV RNA less than 100 copies per millimeter

The doctor says based on the latter two tests the doctor says I don't have hepatitis C.

Does that sound about right? He suggested I go for a second opinion so I am scheduled to see one of the top specialists here in Taiwan next Monday, but do I have reason to celebrate?

Thank you so much for everyone who responded to my original post and provided me with the neccessary support. A special thanks to Bill who was a mountain to me.

Not so Confused!
Paul

[VeryConfused990]

I already have a copy of the results and will meet with an additional specialist on Monday. I will speak with the specialist to find out more details and see if additional testing is neccessary. Thank you for your suggestion.

[Proactive]

First, their is no pcr or tma that detects down to 0. If I was you, I would request a copy of the tests results. I would also question the doc about those results...Was the low limit of the test 100 iu/ml? Was the virus detected below the limit of the test and unquantifiable? Or was no virus detected below the limit of the test? If you do go for a second opinion, I would request a pcr that has at least a low limit down to 10 iu/ml..
Pro

[VeryConfused990]

Hi Mpace

Thanks for the confirmation.

The doctor didn't give me a quantitative amount. He just said its LESS THAN. He didn't say it was 100. Thanks for the info and I will double check with the specialist next week monday but he said it was negative.

Once again thanks for the input.

[mpace6983]

I may be wrong,but if you dont have HCV,your HCV RNA will be 0 or undetectable.There are people who have a V/L <10/mm. But the test has to show UNDETECTABLE before you are considered to be cleared of the virus. The HCV RNA bloodtest is the litmus test to check for HCV. No Virus/no infection. ANY viral count,no matter how low means you have the virus. I dont want to be a downer,but if your V/L is 100, you are not virus free. Good Luck