Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

Brief Description: The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test is a blood test used to detect the presence of antibodies against the core protein of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). This test helps in the diagnosis and monitoring of Hepatitis B infection.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test May Be Ordered:

A Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test may be ordered for several reasons:

1. Screening for Hepatitis B Infection: It is commonly used as a part of routine screening or during health check-ups to identify individuals who have been exposed to HBV.

2. Diagnosis of Acute or Chronic Hepatitis B: In patients with signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis (e.g., jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain) or those at risk for chronic hepatitis B, this test can help confirm the presence of the virus.

3. Assessment of Immunity: For individuals who have received the Hepatitis B vaccine, this test can determine if they have developed protective antibodies against the virus.

What a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test Checks For:

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test checks for the presence of antibodies that target the core protein of the Hepatitis B virus. The total antibody includes both IgM and IgG antibodies against the core antigen.

Other Lab Tests That May Be Ordered Alongside a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test:

When an anti-HBc Total test is ordered, it's often part of a broader evaluation of Hepatitis B infection status and liver health. Here are some tests commonly ordered alongside it:

1. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg):

   • Purpose: To detect the presence of HBsAg, a protein on the surface of the HBV.
   • Why Is It Ordered: The presence of HBsAg indicates an active Hepatitis B infection, either acute or chronic.

2. Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (anti-HBs):

   • Purpose: To detect antibodies against HBsAg.
   • Why Is It Ordered: The presence of anti-HBs indicates immunity to Hepatitis B, either from vaccination or recovery from past infection.

3. Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) and Hepatitis B e Antibody (anti-HBe):

   • Purpose: To assess the presence of HBeAg and anti-HBe, markers related to the replicative state of HBV.
   • Why Is It Ordered: HBeAg indicates active viral replication and higher infectivity, while anti-HBe generally indicates lower levels of virus replication.

4. Liver Function Test:

   • Purpose: To assess liver health and function.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To evaluate the impact of Hepatitis B on the liver and to monitor for signs of liver damage or cirrhosis.

5. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

   • Purpose: Provides a broad picture of overall blood health.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To detect signs of anemia, infection, or other blood cell abnormalities that might be related to Hepatitis B infection or liver disease.

6. Prothrombin Time (PT)/INR:

   • Purpose: To assess blood clotting function.
   • Why Is It Ordered: Liver damage, such as that caused by chronic Hepatitis B infection, can affect the production of clotting factors.

7. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP):

   • Purpose: To measure AFP, a tumor marker.
   • Why Is It Ordered: Elevated levels of AFP can indicate liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, which is associated with chronic Hepatitis B infection.

These tests, when ordered alongside a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test, provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s Hepatitis B infection status, liver health, and potential complications. They are crucial for diagnosing and managing Hepatitis B infection, assessing the risk of transmission, monitoring liver function, and guiding treatment decisions. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and risk factors for Hepatitis B and liver disease.

Conditions or Diseases That Would Require a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test:

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test is required in the following situations:

1. Hepatitis B Infection: It is used to confirm the diagnosis of acute or chronic Hepatitis B infection.

2. Hepatitis B Vaccination Status: To determine if individuals have developed immunity after receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine.

How Health Care Providers Use the Results of a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test:

The results of the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test help healthcare providers in the following ways:

1. Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Infection: A positive result for the core antibody may indicate past or current HBV infection, which can then be further confirmed by other tests.

2. Assessment of Immunity: For individuals who have received the Hepatitis B vaccine, a positive core antibody test confirms that they have developed immunity to the virus.

3. Monitoring Disease Progression: In chronic Hepatitis B cases, the presence of core antibodies can be used to monitor the disease's progression and response to treatment.

4. Screening Blood Donors and Organ Transplant Recipients: The test is used to ensure the safety of blood products and organs for transplant by identifying potential HBV carriers.

In summary, the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test is a valuable tool in diagnosing Hepatitis B infections and assessing immunity after vaccination. It aids in guiding appropriate management and monitoring of the disease.

Most Common Questions About the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test:

Understanding the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test

What is the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test?

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total (Anti-HBc Total) test is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies produced in response to the core antigen of the Hepatitis B virus. The presence of these antibodies indicates either a past or current infection with the Hepatitis B virus.

Why would a healthcare provider order the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test?

This test is usually ordered when a person is suspected to have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus. It can also be used in conjunction with other Hepatitis B tests to help determine the stage of infection or to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

How does the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test contribute to understanding my overall health?

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test contributes to understanding your overall health by helping to diagnose an infection with Hepatitis B, a virus that can cause serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. It can also indicate if you have had a past infection and have possibly developed some immunity against the virus.

Interpreting Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test Results

What does a positive result on the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test mean?

A positive result means that you have been infected with the Hepatitis B virus at some point in your life. It could be a current or past infection. Further testing may be needed to determine the current state of the infection.

What does a negative result on the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test mean?

A negative result suggests that you have not been infected with the Hepatitis B virus. However, it could also mean that you were recently infected and your body has not yet produced detectable antibodies, especially if you have symptoms of hepatitis.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test distinguish between a current and past infection?

This test alone cannot distinguish between a current and past infection. However, when interpreted in conjunction with other hepatitis B tests, it can provide a more complete picture of the infection status.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test and Specific Health Conditions

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used to monitor treatment for Hepatitis B?

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test is not typically used to monitor treatment because the antibody to the core antigen remains detectable for life after an infection. Other tests, such as Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis B DNA tests, are often used for this purpose.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used to determine immunity to Hepatitis B?

The presence of Hepatitis B core antibodies suggests past exposure to the virus, but it does not necessarily indicate immunity. The Hepatitis B surface antibody test is used to confirm immunity, either from vaccination or past infection.

How is the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test used in the evaluation of patients with liver disease?

In patients with liver disease, the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test can help determine if Hepatitis B is the cause of the liver disease.

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test and Lifestyle

Should people in high-risk groups for Hepatitis B get the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test?

People who are at high risk for Hepatitis B, such as healthcare workers, people who inject drugs, people with multiple sexual partners, and people traveling to high-risk areas, may be tested using this test, often in combination with other Hepatitis B tests.

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total Test and Other Diagnostic Tools

How is the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test used in conjunction with other Hepatitis B tests?

This test is typically used with other Hepatitis B tests, such as the Hepatitis B surface antigen test and the Hepatitis B surface antibody test, to provide a more complete understanding of a person's Hepatitis B infection status.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used along with liver function tests?

Yes, this test may be used along with liver function tests to help determine the cause of abnormal liver function test results.

Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations

What are the CDC recommendations regarding the use of the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test?

The CDC recommends the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test, along with other Hepatitis B tests, in certain circumstances such as diagnosing a Hepatitis B infection and determining the need for vaccination.

How do professional organizations guide the interpretation of the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test?

Professional organizations such as the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases provide guidelines for the interpretation of Hepatitis B test results, noting that the interpretation depends on the results of multiple tests, including the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test.

Can a Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be ordered for a person with non-specific symptoms like fatigue or jaundice?

Yes, if a healthcare provider suspects Hepatitis B as a possible cause of these symptoms, they may order this test.

How does the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test relate to the clinical diagnosis of Hepatitis B?

This test helps in diagnosing Hepatitis B by showing whether a person has been infected with the virus at some point. However, other tests are also necessary to understand the current status of the infection.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used to evaluate the risk of developing chronic Hepatitis B?

This test can detect past or current infection with the Hepatitis B virus, but it does not predict who will develop chronic Hepatitis B. Other factors, such as the person's age at the time of infection and their immune response, influence this risk.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used in patients with immune disorders?

Yes, this test can be used in patients with immune disorders. However, these patients may not produce antibodies to the Hepatitis B core antigen in the usual manner, and additional testing may be needed to diagnose Hepatitis B.

How does the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test relate to Hepatitis B vaccination?

A person who has been vaccinated against Hepatitis B will typically not have Hepatitis B core antibodies. The presence of these antibodies indicates natural infection with the virus.

How does the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test relate to the risk of liver cancer?

People with chronic Hepatitis B infection, which can be detected using this test, have an increased risk of developing liver cancer.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test help diagnose Hepatitis D?

Yes, Hepatitis D, or delta hepatitis, only occurs in people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus. Therefore, this test can help in diagnosing Hepatitis D by confirming a Hepatitis B infection.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test help diagnose co-infections with Hepatitis C or HIV?

While this test itself does not detect Hepatitis C or HIV, it can be used in conjunction with specific tests for these viruses if co-infection is suspected.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used to screen pregnant women for Hepatitis B?

Yes, pregnant women are often screened for Hepatitis B to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus. However, the Hepatitis B surface antigen test is the primary test used for this purpose.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used in newborns of mothers who have Hepatitis B?

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test is not typically used in newborns because they may have maternal antibodies that can cause a positive result. Instead, they are usually tested using the Hepatitis B surface antigen test after the age of 1 to 2 months.

Can the Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test be used to determine if a person is a carrier of the Hepatitis B virus?

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total test can detect past or current infection. However, being a carrier of the virus is determined by the presence of the Hepatitis B surface antigen. If a person is positive for the surface antigen for longer than six months, they are considered a carrier of the virus.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.