You`ve obviously been infected by the Hep C virus at some point in the past for you to have HCV antibodies, but as Tig said, the only way you`ll know for sure whether you have an active infection is by having an HCV RNA viral load test done. Your liver enzymes (AST and ALT) look absolutely fine but can`t be relied on as a true indication of liver health.
Having said that, try not to worry, even if it turns out to be positive that would be no reason to turn down your dream job!
Best of luck!
ps - I`ve deleted your duplicate post in the General Discussion area. ~ Jill
Leanna83 said
Dec 27, 2013
Thanks you Tig
Tig said
Dec 27, 2013
Hi Leanna,
Welcome to the forum, you came to the right place for support and information. I'm sorry that you're so worried. I know the feeling all too well. But try and keep the worry in check, because it doesn't help matters much. Easy for me to say right now but it's true. We've all experienced our share of it, but in hindsight we discovered it's lack of help after the fact.
Your s/co seems borderline from the reports I've read, but there really is no way at this point to say what the chances for a false positive might be. You're doing the right thing by pursuing additional tests. Most of us here have the RNA testing done which is the most accurate of the tests and those of us on treatment are concerned with the viral load quantity, always hoping for an undetectable result. You on the other hand, have to get the next test result that shows you positive or negative for HCV. That is the EIA that I believe you've done already, it provides the s/co, then the PCR and then the RNA Quantitative. I believe the reason for these graduating tests come down to the costs involved. They can be very expensive, so patients and insurance companies like to start with the least costly test available and there are also some labs that don't have those testing abilities on site and have to send them out, which delays everything.
Best thing is to not worry and be positive. There are any number of ways that a person might contract HCV, but it's generally from blood contact with an infected source. Some people get it from blood transfusions, needle stick injuries, and yes, tattoos. That was how I was infected back in the 80's. Good thing is now there are some fabulous new treatments that can knock this virus out in 12 weeks in some cases! There is no reason you should lose your dream job over this because it's something very treatable. Hang in there and keep in touch with us. We're here to help you in any way we can. Whether that help is information or a friend to talk to. If you have any other questions, please ask. We also have a very good search function located at the top of each page. Take care!
Tig
Leanna83 said
Dec 27, 2013
I tested positive for hepatitis c antibodies in jan and my s/co was 4.85, wasn't told to get additional test and think anything of it. Dec I had to be tested for work and of course I'm positive for the antibodies again and this time my signal to cut off is 4.04. My (AST ALT) are normal (19 20). I am so terrified being that I work in the medical field I will have to give up my dream job if my PCR RNA come back positive. What's the likely hood of a a false-positive? I don't do drugs ever. I have tattoos and I've donated blood, so I would like to think I'm a low risk person..
Hi Leanna, welcome from me too.
You`ve obviously been infected by the Hep C virus at some point in the past for you to have HCV antibodies, but as Tig said, the only way you`ll know for sure whether you have an active infection is by having an HCV RNA viral load test done. Your liver enzymes (AST and ALT) look absolutely fine but can`t be relied on as a true indication of liver health.
Having said that, try not to worry, even if it turns out to be positive that would be no reason to turn down your dream job!
Best of luck!
ps - I`ve deleted your duplicate post in the General Discussion area. ~ Jill
Hi Leanna,
Welcome to the forum, you came to the right place for support and information. I'm sorry that you're so worried. I know the feeling all too well. But try and keep the worry in check, because it doesn't help matters much. Easy for me to say right now but it's true. We've all experienced our share of it, but in hindsight we discovered it's lack of help after the fact.
Your s/co seems borderline from the reports I've read, but there really is no way at this point to say what the chances for a false positive might be. You're doing the right thing by pursuing additional tests. Most of us here have the RNA testing done which is the most accurate of the tests and those of us on treatment are concerned with the viral load quantity, always hoping for an undetectable result. You on the other hand, have to get the next test result that shows you positive or negative for HCV. That is the EIA that I believe you've done already, it provides the s/co, then the PCR and then the RNA Quantitative. I believe the reason for these graduating tests come down to the costs involved. They can be very expensive, so patients and insurance companies like to start with the least costly test available and there are also some labs that don't have those testing abilities on site and have to send them out, which delays everything.
Best thing is to not worry and be positive. There are any number of ways that a person might contract HCV, but it's generally from blood contact with an infected source. Some people get it from blood transfusions, needle stick injuries, and yes, tattoos. That was how I was infected back in the 80's. Good thing is now there are some fabulous new treatments that can knock this virus out in 12 weeks in some cases! There is no reason you should lose your dream job over this because it's something very treatable. Hang in there and keep in touch with us. We're here to help you in any way we can. Whether that help is information or a friend to talk to. If you have any other questions, please ask. We also have a very good search function located at the top of each page. Take care!
Tig
I tested positive for hepatitis c antibodies in jan and my s/co was 4.85, wasn't told to get additional test and think anything of it. Dec I had to be tested for work and of course I'm positive for the antibodies again and this time my signal to cut off is 4.04. My (AST ALT) are normal (19 20). I am so terrified being that I work in the medical field I will have to give up my dream job if my PCR RNA come back positive. What's the likely hood of a a false-positive? I don't do drugs ever. I have tattoos and I've donated blood, so I would like to think I'm a low risk person..