Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs - Positive. HBs-Ag negative.

[mfinasi]

So lab work reveals I am positive for Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs but negative for HBs-Ag.

 

I've tried to decipher the meaning of this prior to deciding which doctor to consult - i want to be a little clued up before a consultation, so far my understanding is this: 

 

• Not from a distant vaccine as Anti-HBc would be negative? 
• It's from a previous infection, that the body has cleared. (according to an NHS scotland pdf)
• HBs-Ag being negative means nothing is currently active, my liver isn't getting beat up by this virus today minute by minute?
• There is no way with the above trio to determine roughly an infection date - could be 20 years ago? 
  
   

Is that roughly correct?

 

Smallest liver profile package came back normal - AST and ALT are 19, and Alk Phos 48.  

Do I need to do anything?
Do I need to watch out in future?
Can it re-occur?

Should I get any more tests to get a better understanding of whats currently happening? 

 

[Sheryl]

See https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/interpretationOfHepBSerologicResults.htm

 

You had a prior Heb B infection (no telling when) but recovered and now have immunity.

 

If the infection were chronic the antigen HBsAg would be positive.

 

If the immunity was from vaccination, the anti-HBs would be positive but not the anti-HBc.

 

As there is no ongoing infection, just a past infection and  now immunity, and your liver enzymes are normal. you do not need to do anything.

[mfinasi]

Thank you very much Sheryl! 

[uttradit]

Are people supposed to get a Hep B vaccine booster every 10 years? I had 3 shots 15 years ago.

[Sheryl]

57 minutes ago, uttradit said:

Are people supposed to get a Hep B vaccine booster every 10 years? I had 3 shots 15 years ago.

Booster doses are not recommended unless blood tests show lack of antibodies. If concerned, you can get an anti-HBs test to find out.

[cdemundo]

I just had blood test for Hep B.

The took 2 blood sample with a 1 hour wait in between which I don't really understand.

Anyone know the reason for this?

 

Doctor said negative for infection and no treatment necessary which is all i really need to know.

 

But she said several times that my immune system was very, very active.

I am not really clear what she meant.

I had a Hep B vaccination series in 1998 so maybe that is why my immune system was very, very active when tested for Hep B.

 

I know I don't need treatment but I am not clear on the meaning of what the doctor said.

Anyone can clarify for me?

Thanks.

[Sheryl]

54 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

I just had blood test for Hep B.

The took 2 blood sample with a 1 hour wait in between which I don't really understand.

Anyone know the reason for this?

 

Doctor said negative for infection and no treatment necessary which is all i really need to know.

 

But she said several times that my immune system was very, very active.

I am not really clear what she meant.

I had a Hep B vaccination series in 1998 so maybe that is why my immune system was very, very active when tested for Hep B.

 

I know I don't need treatment but I am not clear on the meaning of what the doctor said.

Anyone can clarify for me?

Thanks.

I think she was just saying you had high levels of antibodies.

[sikishrory]

I had basically the same situation as you a few years ago.

Anti hbc - negative

anti hbe equivocal

anti hbs positive

HBeAg negative

HBsAg negative

It was told to me in the end after confusing conversations with a few different doctors in Thailand, barcelona and australia that the results were likely due to my earlier vaccination for hep B and were nothing to worry about. It's really confusing and I think if you want peice of mind book in with the best doc you can find at bumrungrad or samitevej or somewhere and get them to explain it you

[Sheryl]

8 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I had basically the same situation as you a few years ago.

Anti hbc - negative

anti hbe equivocal

anti hbs positive

HBeAg negative

HBsAg negative

It was told to me in the end after confusing conversations with a few different doctors in Thailand, barcelona and australia that the results were likely due to my earlier vaccination for hep B and were nothing to worry about. It's really confusing and I think if you want peice of mind book in with the best doc you can find at bumrungrad or samitevej or somewhere and get them to explain it you

Your situation differs from the OP in that yoyr  anti-HBc was negative. So your profile is consistent with the immunity obtained ftom vaccination. While his is consistent with that obtained through a prior natural infection.

 

You are both immune though and neither of you has active Hep B infection.