HCV Antibody test Report?

Question

i do 1st test for HCV Antibody on 12-june-2006 from a well known laboratory that reported as...
Hepatitis C Antibody ..Reactive (134.43)
Cutoff rate is ............1.00
SGPT ........................43 IU/L

Now i do the same test after using some medicine on 02-Oct-2006 from a different laboratory that reported as...

Result.........Reactive
Patient Value .1.512
Cutoff Value ...0.421
And SGPT ......86 U/L
Please guide me are the results are same OR patient is getting better NOW.
Some one who is related to medical field's reply will highly be appriciated.

Answer 1

A positive anti-HCV-ELISA does not distinguish those who cleared the infection from those who are chronically infected.( that's about both reactive tests you have!).Fluctuation of serum aminotransferases is common after the acute infection; the serum alanine aminotransferase[ (ALT) =SGPT]concentration may normalize in up to 40 percent of cases. However, actual resolution of infection, as determined by the persistent loss of HCV-RNA, occurs in fewer than 15 percent of patients. Furthermore, HCV-RNA may remain detectable in the liver even in patients in whom it is undetectable in serum, although its clinical significance is uncertain . I think HCV RNA test(PCR) is nessasary in this case ,HCV RNA testing should be performed in
(a) patients with a positive anti-HCV test ;
(b) patients for whom antiviral treatment is being considered, using a quantitative assay
(c) patients with unexplained liver disease whose anti-HCV test is negative and who are immune-compromised or suspected of having acute HCV infection
we distingush patient response from its RNA test: patient is considered to have relapsed when HCV RNA becomes undetectable on treatment but is detected again after discontinuation of treatment. Persons in whom HCV RNA levels remain stable on treatment are considered nonresponders, while those whose HCV RNA levels decline (eg, by >2 logs), but never become undetectable, are referred to as partial responders.
soits hard to rell you from your ALT(SGPT) that in which group you are. if both 2 test are from one lab the higher SGPT can cause from liver injuries form viral infection(which may be cured now, and only it was its chronic affect!) . RNA test will tell us if this infection remain or not.
I'm a medical student

Answer 2

It is typical for SPGT levels (also known as ALT) to fluctuate with Hep C infection. Both tests show you have the antibodies to HCV. Your next step would be to have a HCV PCR quantitative test (viral load). This will give you a numercal result which, if detectable, means you have chronic, active HCV. If it is undetectable, then you are one of the lucky 15-20% that spontaneously clear the virus.
If the PCR comes back showing you have chronic active HCV, then you will need a genotype test to determine which subtype of HCV you have. The genotype determines the length of treatment needed. Most people have to do 48 - 52 weeks of treatment (genotypes 1, 3). Genotype 2 responds much better and needs only 24 weeks of treatment. As previous people have stated, be leary of alternative treatments, as they can skew your lab results and may be dangerous to your liver. Standard treatment is not easy, but has had extensive research and many people are clearing the virus. I have done the treatment myself 6 years ago and have been clear ever since. Best wishes to you whatever you decide.

Answer 3

Reactive for Hepatitis antibody means presence of Hepatitis C virus. As you can see, the patient's results is higher than the cut-off value, thus it is reactive. The increase value of SGPT means the liver is greatly affected ( which is true for patients having hepatitis). You have to check the units given (in your first lab result the unit of SGPT is IU/L while the 2nd one is U/L) so the different laboratory may give different values for the test.As far as I know, IU is the real unit thus making your second lab test above the normal value of SGPT. But this does not conclude whether the case got worst or not. Having hepatitis C reactive is already a case needs to be monitored. You can tell your doctor to request for additional liver function test aside from SGPT there is SGOT, Bilirubin, total Bili, protein and albumin.Hope this helps. God bless

Answer 4

Reactive means a positive test for Hep C. It's not uncommon to have a false-positive on the first Anti-HCV. If this happens, retesting is done to confirm. You've had two tests. You had an elevated SGPT in June and that has increased since October. I'd say it's worsening.

Answer 5

you have hepatitis c. i would not self treat as herbs and flushes and concoctions can interfere with true test results, not only that but could be dangerous as with HCV infection you also have a tendency for bi-directional diseases affecting other organs.

i would assume going by the labs you are getting worse. what type of medicine did you take? there is only approved antiviral chemotherapy meds out there for HCV. nothing else works.

do you know your genotype?

i would also like to state that with HCV natural course, one month you can have near normal tests while others it is through the roof. hcv is cyclic....once the virons leave the liver, other new genetically changed virons are being sent out. hcv is called a liver disease because it needs the liver to reproduce.....but hcv is found in everything attached, including hair, skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys.......hcv is not something to play around with.

i wish you well and heres to hoping you will find a great doctor!

Answer 6

As a health professional and a person who also has Hep C. Your lab values are increasing, and that means that the disease process is progressing (or getting worst). You need to go to your doctor and get your genotype and viral load tested. There is also a new blood test to see how much damage has been done to the liver, its called fiber-sure. All these test will determine the treatment course of action. There are also a TON of websites on HepC.... just search for them. Also, and this is very important, you need to get the Hep A and B vaccine. Your liver cant handle to have more then one Hep at a time. Hope that all this helped.

Answer 7

As a nurse and from the limited info ,the patient is getting better,,,