Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What They Mean for You

Q: Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What They Mean for You

Hello, Miss： The surface antibodies should be positive, and there should be no issues. <br>Other data may have false positives, so there is no need for further investigation at this time. <br>Changhua Hospital cares about your health. <br>Chen Shidian

Hepatitis B testing issues?

Hello doctor, I am currently 37 years old.
I received the hepatitis B vaccine at the age of 17.
In 2011, my surface antibody was still positive, and the surface antigen was negative.
In 2013, during a company health check, it was found that HBsAg was negative, HBsAb was negative, and HBeAg was negative, so I went to the clinic to receive the second round of vaccination.
In 2014, my HBsAb was positive at 1000.
However, in 2015, during another company health check, I found that HBsAg was negative at 0.528, HBsAb was 4.1, and HBeAg was 0.255.
I was surprised that the antibodies disappeared so quickly.
I asked the doctor at the clinic, and he said it is possible for antibodies to disappear and advised me not to spend money on vaccinations that are meaningless.
I then went to the laboratory for testing, and the results showed HBsAg at 0.444, anti-HBs positive at 505.7 (>10 mIU/ml), HBeAg negative at 0.103 (>1.0), anti-HBe at 1.29 (S/CO value <1.0), anti-HBc positive at 0.010 (index >1.0), and anti-HBc IgM negative at 0.085 (index >1.0).
I really don’t understand what this report means.
The doctor said that I had been infected in the past, which is why the core antibody is positive.
If I have been infected, why is my anti-HBe negative instead of positive? The laboratory technician mentioned two possibilities: first, I may have been infected in the past, which is why the core antibody is positive; second, it is also possible that the hepatitis B vaccination caused the core antibody to become positive, so the anti-HBe is negative, indicating no infection.
I am now unsure of what to do.
Thank you, doctor.

Su Hui, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/02/02

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello, Miss: The surface antibodies should be positive, and there should be no issues.
Other data may have false positives, so there is no need for further investigation at this time.
Changhua Hospital cares about your health.
Chen Shidian

Reply Date: 2016/02/02

More Info

Understanding your Hepatitis B test results can be quite complex, especially when interpreting various markers and their implications for your health. Based on the information you've provided, let's break down the key components of your test results and what they signify.

1. HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen): This marker indicates whether you are currently infected with the Hepatitis B virus. Your results show HBsAg levels below 1.0, which is considered negative. This suggests that you are not currently infected with the virus, which is a positive outcome.

2. Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody): This antibody is produced in response to either a Hepatitis B infection or vaccination. Your results indicate a high level of Anti-HBs (505.7), which suggests that you have developed immunity to Hepatitis B, likely due to your vaccination or a past infection. This is a good sign, as it indicates that your immune system can recognize and fight the virus if you are exposed in the future.

3. HBeAg (Hepatitis B e Antigen): This marker is associated with active viral replication and higher infectivity. Your result shows HBeAg negative (0.103), which means you are not in an active phase of the infection, further supporting the conclusion that you are not currently infected.

4. Anti-HBe (Hepatitis B e Antibody): The presence of this antibody (1.29) indicates that your immune system has responded to the virus, which is consistent with either a resolved infection or a successful vaccination response. The fact that you have Anti-HBe while HBeAg is negative is a positive indicator of your immune status.

5. Anti-HBc (Hepatitis B Core Antibody): The presence of Anti-HBc (0.010) indicates that you have been exposed to the virus at some point in your life. This could be due to a past infection or, as your doctor suggested, a response to the vaccine. The absence of IgM Anti-HBc (0.085) indicates that there is no acute infection, which aligns with your other results.

Interpretation and Recommendations:
From your results, it appears that you have either successfully cleared a past Hepatitis B infection or have developed immunity through vaccination. The presence of Anti-HBs and the absence of HBsAg are strong indicators that you are not currently infected and have a protective immune response.

Regarding your concern about the Anti-HBe being negative, this is not unusual. It can occur in individuals who have cleared the virus or in those who have been vaccinated. The presence of Anti-HBc suggests previous exposure to the virus, but it does not necessarily indicate an active infection.

Next Steps:
1. Follow-Up Testing: It may be beneficial to have periodic follow-up tests to monitor your Hepatitis B status, especially if you have any risk factors for re-exposure.

2. Consult with a Specialist: If you have ongoing concerns or confusion about your results, consider consulting a hepatologist or a specialist in infectious diseases who can provide more personalized insights based on your medical history.

3. Vaccination Consideration: If your doctor believes that your immunity may be waning, they might recommend a booster dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine, although this is typically not necessary for individuals who have high levels of Anti-HBs.

In summary, your test results indicate that you are not currently infected with Hepatitis B and that you have developed immunity, likely due to vaccination or a past infection. It's essential to maintain regular check-ups and communicate any concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure your ongoing health and well-being.

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