Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What Do They Mean? - Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Q: Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What Do They Mean?

Hello： The second hepatitis marker, IgG HBc, indicates whether there has been a past infection with hepatitis B. <br>A positive result signifies a previous infection with hepatitis B, and if HBsAg is simultaneously negative, it indicates that the individual is not a carrier, mean

Questions After Hepatitis B Testing

Hello Dr.
Lin: I underwent a hepatitis B test, and the test items and results are as follows: (1) Test item: Anti HCV, result: Negative (0.06) S/CO (2) Test item: HBc IgG (Hepatitis B core antibody), result: Positive (3) Test item: HBs Ag (Hepatitis B surface antigen), result: Negative (0.19) S/CO.

Could you please explain what the positive result in item (2) indicates? Does the overall test result suggest that I have had hepatitis B in the past but currently do not have it?

YOYO, 60~69 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/05/21

Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello: The second hepatitis marker, IgG HBc, indicates whether there has been a past infection with hepatitis B.
A positive result signifies a previous infection with hepatitis B, and if HBsAg is simultaneously negative, it indicates that the individual is not a carrier, meaning they have had hepatitis B in the past but are not currently a carrier and may have developed antibodies (HBsAb), which can be tested.
If HBsAg is positive, it indicates that the individual is a hepatitis B carrier and requires regular follow-up examinations (blood tests and ultrasounds).
Wishing you safety and health! Sincerely, Dr.
Lin Ming-Hui, Attending Physician, Gastroenterology Department, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Reply Date: 2018/05/21

More Info

Understanding your Hepatitis B test results can be quite complex, but it is crucial for managing your health effectively. Based on the test results you provided, let's break down each component and what it signifies.

1. Anti HCV (Hepatitis C Antibody): Your result is negative (0.06 S/CO). This indicates that you have not been infected with the Hepatitis C virus. This is a good sign, as it means you are not currently dealing with a Hepatitis C infection.

2. HBc IgG (Hepatitis B Core Antibody): Your result is positive. This means that you have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus at some point in your life. The presence of IgG antibodies indicates a past infection, which your immune system has responded to. Importantly, this does not mean you are currently infected or contagious.

3. HBs Ag (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen): Your result is negative (0.19 S/CO). This is a critical marker because a negative HBs Ag result indicates that you are not currently infected with the Hepatitis B virus. In other words, you are not a carrier of the virus at this time.

Putting these results together, your positive HBc IgG and negative HBs Ag suggest that you have had a past infection with Hepatitis B, but you have cleared the virus from your system. This is often the case for many individuals who have had an acute Hepatitis B infection and subsequently developed immunity.
To further clarify, when someone has a past Hepatitis B infection, the body produces antibodies (like HBc IgG) to fight off the virus. If the infection resolves, the HBs Ag will eventually become negative, and the body may produce HBs antibodies (anti-HBs), which can be tested separately. The presence of anti-HBs would indicate immunity to Hepatitis B, meaning you are protected from future infections.

In your case, since you have a positive HBc IgG and negative HBs Ag, it is likely that you have developed immunity to Hepatitis B. However, it is advisable to check for the presence of anti-HBs to confirm this immunity. If you have anti-HBs, it would further solidify that you are protected against future infections.

In summary, your test results indicate that you have had Hepatitis B in the past but are not currently infected. You should consider discussing with your healthcare provider about checking for anti-HBs to confirm your immunity status. Regular monitoring and follow-up with your healthcare provider are essential to ensure your liver health remains stable, especially if you have a history of Hepatitis B.

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