It is part of a routine screening panel of tests for hepatitis B.
These three tests look for acute and chronic infections.
How Is the HBcAb Test Done?
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This is a blood test.
If you are giving blood, a sample will be taken from the blood you’re donating.
The blood is sent to a lab, where it is tested.
Results of the HBcAb Test
There are two variations of antibodies.
The IgM antibody is the largest antibody and the first produced in an infection.
It shows that you may have a current, active infection.
Sometimes it persists for years, but it usually drops to undetectable levels once the acute infection resolves.
The screening panel usually has a test that is for total HBcAb, which includes both IgM and IgG.
The IgM test may be ordered to help determine if you have an acute infection.
A positive HBcAb test must be interpreted along with the results of the other tests.
You may have an active or chronic infection or be immune to hepatitis B due to past infection.
Discussthe resultswith your healthcare provider.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B Foundation.Understanding your test results.
Hepatitis B Foundation.Hepatitis B blood tests.
