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What Does This Following Hepatitis-C Report Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017
Question: I ordered a hep c test online and i do not understand part of the results can you help me interpret them? This is the section I am trying to understand.
Hep C Virus Ab <0.1 s/co ratio 0.0 -0.9, Negative: <0.8, Indeterminate: 0.8-0.9, Positive: >0.9
Can you interpret this for me please
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can you please upload report?

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I would be happy to help interpret the results, but it would be helpful if you can upload the actual lab results here. To do this, you use the "Upload Reports" button which I believe is on your screen, maybe on the right side. If not, it is on the original page you posted your question on.

The reason I would like to see the actual report is that I am trying to figure out from what you wrote, which are the results and which are the lab reference range values.

If you are not able to send your report via the upload reports button, send an email to healthcare magic and they can get the report to me. This takes a lot more time though - they are in XXXXXXX and likely won't get to it until tomorrow.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (38 minutes later)
I was able to send it thank you :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I don't see it...

Detailed Answer:
Hi - I don't see it. Did you send it via the upload reports button (i.e. scan a hard copy and then upload) or did you send it to healthcare magic's customer support?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
I sent it several times now through the upload reports button
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
OK

Detailed Answer:
I am contacting customer support now, because I don't see it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 days later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
All tests look good

Detailed Answer:
I can see the attached lab reports - I'm glad that finally worked out!

Here is what your labs mean:

1. Hepatic Panel: Everything looks good and is within normal limits. Your liver enzymes are not elevated. Liver enzymes become elevated in any situation that inflames the liver (alcohol, fatty liver, viral hepatitis). The liver then spills enzymes into the blood stream which is measured with this panel.

2. HIV test is negative.

3. Antibodies to Hepatitis C: Providing this test was done not in the first 2 weeks after an exposure to Hep C virus, and preferably after 6 months, you can trust these results. (It takes the body several months to develop antibodies to the virus.)

Your Hep C antibody result is negative. It is less than .1, and to be of concern, it would have to be .8 or higher. So your test is negative - you don't have an infection with Hepatitis C.

"s/co" stands for signal to cut off ratio. The CDC recommends that Hepatitis antibody reports should include this. It is calculated in the laboratory by dividing your blood sample result by the value of the negative-positive cut-off point for their particular test. The purpose of including an s/co ratio is to try to decrease false positive tests. If the s/co ratio is 3.8 or higher there is a strong chance that a positive test is truly positive. If the s/co ratio is less than 3.8 and the antibody test is positive, then it may be a false positive (i.e. not really a problem even though it reads positive).

I am explaining about the s/co ratio just because the lab included it and I thought you might want to know what it is. But it is not relevant or needed in your case because your antibody test was negative.

4. You don't have TB.

5. RPR negative: You don't have syphilis.

6. Hep A Ab IgM: You don't have Hepatitis A (a gastrointestinal infection). In acute/current infection, the body produces higher levels of Immnoglobin M (IgM) to a virus. Yours is negative.

And you don't have a current infection with Hepatitis B (Hep B surface antigen screen is negative).

You also never have had an infection with Hepatitis B and you are not immune to it (for example, people can show antibody immunity if they have been vaccinated for Hep B). I am saying this based on that you are negative for Hep B core antibody. After having Hepatitis B or the vaccination, a person will show an elevated Hep B core antibody.

So... all of your tests are good. Your liver tests are normal, and all of the tests for infectious diseases are negative.

Please let me know if these explanations make sense to you or you want further clarification in a particular area.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (8 hours later)
TY :) TY :) TY:)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome.

I explained that the Hepatitis C antibody test can the considered accurate if it has been months since possible exposure (since it can take months to form antibodies to it).

I will also add that with the TB test, if there is high suspicion for having been exposed to TB, a negative test should be repeated. But unless you have a strong reason to think you were exposed (and in the US, TB is not a common exposure), then you can trust the negative test result.

I'm glad to be able to help. Have a good day!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Does This Following Hepatitis-C Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Can you please upload report? Detailed Answer: Hello, I would be happy to help interpret the results, but it would be helpful if you can upload the actual lab results here. To do this, you use the "Upload Reports" button which I believe is on your screen, maybe on the right side. If not, it is on the original page you posted your question on. The reason I would like to see the actual report is that I am trying to figure out from what you wrote, which are the results and which are the lab reference range values. If you are not able to send your report via the upload reports button, send an email to healthcare magic and they can get the report to me. This takes a lot more time though - they are in XXXXXXX and likely won't get to it until tomorrow.