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Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> First test for hep c positive but second test without treatment was negative
Post Info TOPIC: First test for hep c positive but second test without treatment was negative
Tig


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RE: First test for hep c positive but second test without treatment was negative
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Hello,

Welcome to the forum. Let me try to answer your question. The test to determine if you have ever been exposed is the Antibody test. If you have ever been exposed, you will always show a positive test result. That's the test they utilize for insurance and blood banks. If you have a positive antibody test, that's usually why your doctor then orders the RNA PCR Quantitative test. It's all part of the same test and the PCR is simply an amplification of the DNA chain.

As RC mentioned, 20-25% of people infected will be able to fight the virus off themselves and clear it. It's your own immune system that is responsible for that. But again, even if that happens, you will forever be positive if tested for the antibody. I'm going to provide you with a couple of links to information that will help explain it all. If you have anymore questions, please ask.

What is Viral Load?                     Hep C Lab Tests

What is a PCR?                           What is an Antibody?

 



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Tig

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robertsamx


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Hi Sam

       Up top 20% of the people that some how get exposed to HCV will kill the virus on there own.There immune system is able to kill the virus. If you are reactive to hep c antibody but are undetected , you fought off the dragon and won!!

       Given the fact that you can not account for any exposier , then I would re-test in 30-60 days and see what the results show. Ask to have the blood work done at a different lab.

       I"m betting your ok, and don't have active HCV!!       RC

        

 



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confused_extremely


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Thanks Jimmy. In the first test they did the antibody test and that came up reactive. Then they did the RNA test to see for active virus and that came up with a count of 1290 IU/mL Then in the second test the RT-PCR was "HCV Not Detected" Do you know what is the difference between a RNA and PCT test?

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JimmyK


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Greetings,

 

What it means is you do not have Hep C. Had to edit here 20 days.

Given your history as stated plus the more recent test, it is most likely the first one was an error. Also it makes me wonder why they would ever have done the RNA quantitative test to begin with. Anti-Body test may have pointed them?

The numbers were also extremely low so you may have fought it off like many do. Check for a new Anti-Body test to see if your ever were exposed.

You can carry the Anti_Body yet not have Hep C.

 

 

JimmyK



-- Edited by JimmyK on Saturday 7th of May 2016 09:12:04 AM

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confused_extremely


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Hi,

Just a background about myself. 29 years old male. Never had any drug (not even once), no smoking (not even once), no sexual activity and no blood transfusion ever.

For a totally different scenario, I was asked to take some blood tests and one of that test was for Hep c. Again this test was not taken because of any symptoms or because of any physical problem.

When that test results came, my doctor told Hep C was reactive. The test results were 

HEPATITIS C AB W/REFL TO HCV RNA, QN, PCR

HEPATITIS C ANTIBODY - REACTIVE

SIGNAL TO CUT-OFF - 3.32 H

 

HCV RNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL TIME PCR

HCV RNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL TIME PCR - 1290 H

HCV RNA, QUANTITATIVE REAL TIME PCR - 3.11 H

See this result, the doctor who ordered the test told I have Hep C and asked to follow up with my primary care physician.

 

After that, I went to the Primary Care Physician to do a complete physical checkup and during that time I asked to do the Hep C test again to confirm there was no lab error (because I was not exposed to any Hep c causes and I never had any symptoms). This was exactly after 20 days, after my initial test.

In the physical check up, everything turned out normal including liver enzymes which was very well within normal numbers. And the doctor also told my Hep C results were negative and she was not sure what was going on and referred to a specialist. 

The second Hep C result were:

HCV RT-PCR, Quant (Non-Graph)

Hepatitis C Quantitation - HCV Not Detected

 

What does this mean? Why was my initial result positive and the second result was negative (without any medication)? Do I have Hep C or can I confirm that the first result was because of some lab error? Then why is my physician still asking to follow up with the specialist?

My appointment with the specialist is after 2 months from now (unfortunately that was the earliest appointment I could get). I am really worried and will be confused with this till I meet the specialist. In the meantime if any of you could through some light on my situation, it will be greatly appreciated.

 



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