Hep C RNA

[EmilyBaker]

Hello everyone,

My Hep C RNA Quan Result came back undetectable. It could be my virus count is lower than detectable standard. Is there a test to confirm previous infection? I would like to know if i have low virus amount or i am cured from it. Thank you!


This discussion is related to HCV PCR RNA.

[EmilyBaker]

The doctors said i am very likely to get rid of Hep C. My RNA Quan is low and RNA Qual PCR is negative. But on the safe side, another test Hep C RNA Qual TMA should be done. This TMA more sensitive than PCR.

As for my Hep B, it is not active and with little virus count. The doctor said in a few years i could be getting rid of it on my own. About 10% Hep B are clear each year. I just have to test every 6 months and making sure HBsAb is positive.

I saw two doctor today. The first one said i got rid of both virus. It does matter which doctor we see.

It is not over yet but it's better now. Thank you everyone for your information and support.

[Trish77]

Thanks nygirl and Jim .. I thought a more sensitive test would be required and you've both explained that much better.  Seems congrats are in order on the Hep C!!

[Marcia2202]

One of my twin daughters tested positive for HCV antibody and negative for active virus. This means that she cleared it herself after birth. My doctor asked her to test again in six months, just to be 100% sure.

[nygirl7]

Sounds like you are free of the disease to me too - the quant. test would come back much higher than just 600 if not so.  Someone on treatment for example (happened to me) could go down from the hundreds of thousands or millions to only a number of 400 because I was not finished killing them all off.  But if you had the virus just floating around inside active.....the number would not be so small because it would be busy replicating.

Also with the alt of only 20 it shows that you don't have any inflammation bursting around inside - so I agree that you are hepc free.

I don't think you really need another test - the one you had for THIS case was just fine (And believe me I am a VERY proactive aggressive "treat it if you got it" person but you seem to be ok).

[EmilyBaker]

I really hope it is a previous infection. I am in doubt because the doctor told me it is inactive but i still have it. It's the reason i want second and third opinion. Thank you for sharing your story, Trish. It made me realize i want to know the truth at no cost.

I will let you know of anything new today. I am really hoping for good news.

[jmjm530]

Having the Hepatitis C antibody does not mean you have Hepatitis C. That is why they tested again using the RNA Quant. Your Quant was undetected meaning you do not have Hepatitis C, so congratulations on that part. I do not think a more sensitive test is required since you are neither on treatment or in an acute phase and have normal liver enzymes. Maybe this was covered in another thread, but how come you're being tested for Hep B and Hep C?

[Trish77]

I understand.  Like I said, I went for years thinking my Hep B status meant one thing when it meant something else entirely.  The information around both Hep B and Hep C is not that great and is often confusing in the beginning.  

Sounds like you're starting to get things sorted out and good for you.  The Hep C results are looking good ... if that continues that means you are clear for Hep C AND not contagious for it, it means you did have it but you don't anymore, only antibodies but you are not contagious and you do not have the disease.  That is superb.

Now just hoping on your Hep B and awaiting your results.  Take care.

Trish

[EmilyBaker]

I was tested positive for Hep C Antibody. The second test the doctor request was RNA Quan. It came back undetected. I have normal ALT (20). I hope it was a previous infection. But yes, i will request for a more sensitive test tomorrow.

It's been very confusing the last few weeks. Thank you Trish. I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

[jmjm530]

What makes you think you have Hep C in the first place? Unless you're in treatment or recently completed treatment, the test and sensitivity is pretty definititive that you do not have Hepatitis C. One exception might be if you were recently infected -- but in that case you'd probably have very high liver enzymes.

[Trish77]

I agree with you.  You want a test for Hep C with a much lower sensitivity.  You can ask for a qualitative and then get a quantitative if the test is positive and I have a feeling it will not be.

As for your Hep B, I don't know any more than I did before. I found my results but it doesn't help me understand yours any better.  Good idea to post in the Hep B side and I'm glad you're seeing a specialist.  Please, I'm interested...let us / me know how you made out.  Take care and good luck tomorrow.

Trish

[EmilyBaker]

Hi Trish,

I have a schedule tomorrow to see a specialist to get more information on this result. The doctor called me a two week ago and he told me both Hep B & Hep C is inactive. This whole I can't sleep or not thinking of anything else but this. I hope the next few weeks will bring good news.

Quan RNA count is <600. I realized the sensitive of this test is too low. I think it would be best to request another one with greater sensitivity.

From what i see from my test alone, it seems as if i have a acute Hep B. I will post a question in Hep B forum for more info. Here is it if anyone are able to help.

HBeAb: Positive
HBeAg: Negative
Hep B Surface Ag: Positive
Hep B Surface ACE Ag: Positive (HBsAg for Acute?)

Thank you for all of your help and support.

[Trish77]

Emily, what is the sensitivity of your test?  The results are good news that you have no detectable virus, even better news the lower the sensitivity of the test.  You can be cautiously optimistic here....looks like you may have cleared the virus all on your own.  Can you check the sensitivity?  That's the part where they tell you that they can detect any virus down to <## and you are undetectable down to that #, and of course...the lower that # the better your outlook that you may be clear of Hep C.

Now...how about that undetectable Hep B result?  There is an 80% or so chance of clearing the Hep B virus on your own.  Find out what antibodies are positive and which are negative.  A positive result does not mean a bad result it's WHICH ones are positive and which ones are negative.  (Where's Jakied??? He'd know!  And Mark from the Hep B side?)

Keep figuring out your test results until you completely understand them and keep asking.

Take care.

Trish