Dr. Anshul Varshney
Internal Medicine
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
What is the conclusive timeline for hepatitis B and C testing? I have done the following tests.
1. Normal ALT and AST at 12 weeks post possible infection.
2. HBsAg at 15 weeks post possible infection.
3. HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb at 22 weeks post possible infection.
4. Hepatitis C antibody at 22 weeks post possible infection.
5. Normal ALT, AST, ALP, LD, and albumin. I had slightly raised bilirubin (27 umol/L in a ref range of 8 to 24).
6. HBsAg, HBcAb at 29 weeks post possible infection.
7. Hepatitis C antibody at 29 weeks post possible infection.
Does the test at 29 weeks (202 days) determine that my results are 100% conclusive and no further testing is needed? Why would there be elevated bilirubin? If I were infected, why the detectable elevations in bilirubin did not follow a positive hepatitis test, and why it is stuck in the middle of two negative tests (week 22 and week 29 negative tests)?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Normal bilirubin, as well as, normal ALT (alanine aminotransferase), and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), do not warranty that a person cannot have hepatitis B and C infection. A person infected with hepatitis B and C can have normal liver function tests. In a normal course, HbsAg (surface antigen) comes positive within four weeks of infection and Anti HCV (hepatitis C virus) antibody may take up to six weeks to three months to show its positivity.
In general, if a person is found negative after months of exposure we consider it conclusive. In cases where there is a high risk or the diagnosis has to be early we need to get the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test done for both hepatitis B and C. For hepatitis B we do HBV DNA and for Hepatitis C we do HCV RNA analysis. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Please answer my questions. Does a negative test at 29 weeks for HBsAg, HBcAb, and hepatitis C antibody (202 days) determine that my results are 100% conclusive, and no further testing is needed?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, they are conclusive. You do not have hepatitis B and C. No further testing is needed. I would recommend you to get vaccinated for hepatitis B. If you have any further query please ask me.
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Internal Medicine
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