Hepatitis C Test-Why am I having this test?

Hepatitis C test is done to check for a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). You may have one or more hepatitis C tests done:

• To help your health care provider diagnose HCV infection, if you have possible signs or symptoms of infection.
• To check for infection, if you may have been exposed to HCV.
• To find the cause of long-term (chronic) liver disease or abnormal liver function test results.
• To see if you have had hepatitis C in the past.

Hepatitis C is usually diagnosed with three blood tests:

• Anti-HCV test, also called the HCV antibody test.
• HCV RNA test.
• HCV genotype test.

If you are diagnosed with a current (active) HCV infection, you may have another test done to help monitor your condition during treatment. This test is called the quantitative HCV RNA test.

What is being tested?

Each HCV test measures the amounts of different substances in your blood.

• The anti-HCV test checks for proteins that your body makes to fight HCV (antibodies). If you have antibodies to HCV, it means you have been infected with hepatitis C. It does not necessarily mean that you have an active infection.
• The HCV RNA test checks for genetic material from HCV. This test is done if your HCV antibody test is positive and your health care provider wants to find out if you have an active infection.
• The HCV genotype test. This test identifies the type (genotype) of virus you have.
• The quantitative HCV RNA test measures the amount of virus in your blood (viral load).

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for HCV tests. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

How are the results reported?

• Anti-HCV test results are reported as either positive or negative for HCV antibodies.
• HCV RNA test results are reported as either positive or negative for HCV genetic material.
• HCV genotype test results are reported as which genotype of the virus you have. Genotypes are numbered 1 through 6.
• Quantitative HCV RNA test results are reported as a number that indicates your viral load. This is given as international units of virus per milliliter of blood (IU/mL).
  • A result of 800,000 IU/mL or greater is considered a high viral load.
  • A result of less than 800,000 IU/mL is considered a low viral load.

Sometimes, results from the anti-HCV test or the HCV RNA test may report that:

• HCV antibodies or genetic material are present when they are not present (false-positive result).
• HCV antibodies or genetic material are not present when they are present (false-negative result).

What do the results mean?

For the anti-HCV test:

• A negative result may mean that you have not been infected with HCV. You may need to have this test done again to confirm this result.
• A positive result may mean that you have an active HCV infection, or that you have been infected with HCV in the past. An HCV infection may not cause any symptoms, and your body may get rid of the virus without treatment.

For the HCV RNA test:

• A negative result means that you do not have an active HCV infection.
• A positive result means that you have an active HCV infection.

For the HCV genotype test, knowing the specific genotype you have will help your health care provider recommend the treatment that will work best for you.

The quantitative HCV RNA test gives your health care provider an idea of how well your treatment is working.

• If your viral load is high, you may need different treatment.
• If your viral load is low, your treatment may be working effectively.
• You may have this test repeated to continue to monitor your treatment.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• The hepatitis C testing is done to check for a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• Hepatitis C is usually diagnosed with three blood tests and monitored with one test.
• A blood sample is required for these tests. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
• Your test results for both the anti-HCV test and the HCV RNA test will be reported as either positive or negative.