Hepatitis B Antibody Levels: Do You Have an Infection?

Q: Hepatitis B Antibody Levels: Do You Have an Infection?

Hello Mr. <br>Huang： The hepatitis B test typically uses 1.0 as the cutoff value, so you should not be a carrier of hepatitis B. <br>If necessary, you can visit a hepatobiliary specialty clinic for further confirmation. <br>Changhua Hospital cares about your health. <br>Chen Shid

Hepatitis B antibodies

Hello Dr.
Chen:
I would like to ask if the following values indicate that I have been infected with Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B surface antigen = 0.05 IU/ml and Hepatitis B surface antibody = 2.28 mIU/ml.
Additionally, what are the reference values that define positive and negative results? Based on these values, is there a need for further testing of GOT (AST) and GPT (ALT)? Thank you for your attention to these questions!

Mr. Huang, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2014/10/03

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello Mr.
Huang: The hepatitis B test typically uses 1.0 as the cutoff value, so you should not be a carrier of hepatitis B.
If necessary, you can visit a hepatobiliary specialty clinic for further confirmation.
Changhua Hospital cares about your health.
Chen Shidian

Reply Date: 2014/10/03

More Info

Based on the provided test results, your Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is 0.05 IU/ml, and your Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is 2.28 mIU/ml. To interpret these results, it is essential to understand what these values mean in the context of Hepatitis B infection and immunity.

1. Understanding HBsAg and Anti-HBs:
- HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen): This is a protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus. The presence of HBsAg in the blood indicates that a person is currently infected with the virus. A value of less than 1.0 IU/ml is typically considered negative, indicating no active infection. Since your HBsAg is 0.05 IU/ml, this suggests that you do not have an active Hepatitis B infection.

- Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody): This antibody is produced by the immune system in response to the Hepatitis B virus or vaccination. A positive anti-HBs result indicates that you have immunity to Hepatitis B, either from past infection or vaccination. The threshold for a positive anti-HBs result is generally considered to be 10 mIU/ml or higher. Since your anti-HBs level is 2.28 mIU/ml, this is below the threshold for immunity, suggesting that you may not have sufficient protection against Hepatitis B.

2. Interpreting Your Results:
- Given that your HBsAg is negative, you are not currently infected with Hepatitis B. However, your anti-HBs level is low, which means you may not have adequate immunity against the virus. This could be due to a previous vaccination that did not elicit a strong enough immune response or a past infection that did not result in long-lasting immunity.

- The distinction between positive and negative results is crucial. For HBsAg, values below 1.0 IU/ml are considered negative, while for anti-HBs, values above 10 mIU/ml indicate immunity.

3. Further Testing:
- Since your anti-HBs level is low, it may be advisable to discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of receiving a booster dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine. This can help raise your anti-HBs levels and provide adequate protection against potential infection.

- As for the need for further testing of liver enzymes (GOT/GPT), it may not be necessary at this point since your HBsAg is negative. However, if there are any symptoms or risk factors for liver disease, your doctor may recommend these tests to assess liver function.

4. Conclusion:
- In summary, your test results indicate that you are not currently infected with Hepatitis B, but your immunity may be insufficient. It is essential to follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss the best course of action, which may include vaccination to boost your immunity. Regular monitoring and preventive measures are crucial in maintaining liver health and preventing Hepatitis B infection.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.

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