How to Interpret Hepatitis C Lab Results

If your physician suspects you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), he may order specific laboratory tests. Because HCV often has no visible symptoms, it is possible to have the disease for years without being aware of it. Interpretation of hepatitis C lab results is critical in treatment planning and prevention of serious liver damage. Your physician will review your test results with you, but it is possible to interpret hepatitis C lab results on your own by following these steps.

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Look at the results of your EIA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) antibody test and determine if your result is positive or negative. A positive result indicates you have antibodies present in your system as a result of exposure to the hepatitis C virus. A negative result indicates you have no exposure to HCV, and no further testing is indicated. While this test is useful in determining exposure to the virus, a positive result does not indicate whether the virus is active or dormant, therefore further testing is required for a positive result.

• 2

  Locate the results of your HCV RIBA test (recombinant immunoblot assay) and determine if your result is positive or negative. This test also checks for HCV antibodies, but cannot distinguish between past or active disease. A positive result indicates you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus and have an active or chronic form of the disease. Further testing will be required with a positive test result. If your result is negative, you are free from the hepatitis C disease and no further HCV testing is necessary.

• 3

  Study your results for your HCV RNA (ribonucleic acid) test and determine if your result is positive or negative. Sometimes called a qualitative HCV RNA test, these results will tell you if you have a current active infection of hepatitis C in your body. If your result is positive, the HCV virus is active in your body and further testing and treatment is required. This test is used for diagnostic purposes as opposed to treatment. A negative result indicates you do not have an active or acute form of the HCV disease, although antibodies may still be present.

• 4

  Review your results for your HCV quantitative, or viral load, test and determine if your result is positive or negative. A positive result will also have a number indicating the amount of viral particles measured in international units per milliliter of blood (IU/mL). This result is usually indicated in thousands or millions of international units. The number of viral particles is used as a guide to assess and plan treatment of your disease, and does not indicate prognosis. If your result is negative, it means no active viral particles were found.

• 5

  Discuss all these results with your doctor, and play an active part in your treatment planning, acting only under the guidance of your physician. Understand that treatment of hepatitis C is often a long process that requires patience, time and repeated testing.