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Borderline HCV blood test?

Hello! I'm so confused right now. My doctor finally started running various blood tests on me because I've had severe itching all over for approximately 10 years, but it's gotten worse in the last year. I've asked several times if it could be my liver and she always says "no, because you don't have jaundice". Well, they called last night and said my vitamin d level was very deficient, my cholesterol is elevated, and my HCV is borderline so I'll need to come in and give them more blood. I should've asked questions while I had the nurse on the phone, but I didn't. I googled HCV and was surprised that it was Hep C, but not so surprised that it affects the liver and I have most of the symptoms, except jaundice. What I don't understand is how my result could be borderline? If it's a virus, then you don't borderline have it - you either do or you don't, right? And from what I've able to glean about testing, the 1st blood tests that they do for HCV, are either positive or negative, or detected , not detected. So I'm wondering what test has results that can be considered borderline? And also, if its borderline, then does that mean I have it, or at least maybe had it at some point and my body worked it out on it's own? I don't know if it's important or not, but I did test positive for Hep A in 2013, but was told that it would work it's way out of my system on it's own and not to worry about it. I'm starting to wonder if they messed up and told me Hep A, when maybe it was actually Hep C?

  1. Hi !

    First, I commend you for seeking out support and guidance online. It's not always easy to ask for help!

    There are several different lab tests that could be ordered to test for hep C and liver functioning, so without that information, it is hard to say what they meant by "borderline."

    All of your questions would be best answered by a doctor or nurse. If you haven't done so already, can you give them a call back and ask them to clarify your test results? I know it can be frustrating when health care practitioners assume we speak their language, but asking for clarification and understanding our results is essential!

    If you have a copy of your test results, these articles may help you better understand them:
    https://hepatitisc.net/diagnosis/understanding-lab-test-results
    https://hepatitisc.net/clinical/test-results-cbc
    https://hepatitisc.net/diagnosis/viral-load-testing

    I hope this helps a little. Please keep us updated!

    Best,
    Jessica, Team Member

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