Total HBcAb

Total Hepatitis B Core Antibody

What's

Total HBcAb

Total Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Total HBcAb) is a kind of antibody that your body creates when it fights off an infection from the Hepatitis B virus. This virus mainly attacks your liver and can cause serious damage over time. If Total HBcAb is found in your blood, it means that your body has come into contact with the Hepatitis B virus at some point in your life. It's important to know that this antibody can be detected even if the infection happened a long time ago, or if the virus is no longer in your body. In simple terms, Total HBcAb acts as a record of your immune system's battle against the Hepatitis B virus.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated levels of Total HBcAb in your blood may mean that you've been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus at some point, either recently or in the past. These antibodies can stick around in your body for a long time, even after the infection is gone. High levels could also be a sign of an ongoing infection. Certain medications, like those that affect your immune system, might play a role in increasing these antibody levels. Additionally, some health conditions that impact your immune system could also lead to higher Total HBcAb levels.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Total HBcAb are not typically present, as this marker indicates past or current exposure to the Hepatitis B virus rather than symptom severity. However, if an active Hepatitis B infection is present, symptoms could include fatigue, mild fever, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and jaundice.

If Your Levels are Low

A low level of Total Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Total HBcAb) might mean that your body hasn't come across the Hepatitis B virus before, or it hasn't produced enough of these antibodies to be detected. This could be because you haven't been exposed to the virus, or your immune system's response is different than usual. If you've been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, it's important to note that the vaccine mainly triggers a different type of antibody. Additionally, certain medications (like immunosuppressants) or health conditions that weaken the immune system could also play a role in having lower Total HBcAb levels.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Total HBcAb are typically non-existent, as this condition simply reflects a lack of exposure to the Hepatitis B virus or a non-typical immune response. It does not directly cause any physical or health-related symptoms.

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See References

Test for

Total Hepatitis B Core Antibody

Hep A, B, C Ab Panel w/ Reflex by Access Med Labs

Serum

This panel is used to help diagnose hepatitis.

Hep B Core Ab, Total w/ Reflex to IgM by Access Labcorp Draw

Serum

This test measures antibodies to the Hepatitis B core to help diagnose infection.

Hep B Core Ab, Total w/ Reflex to IgM by Access Med Labs

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring total hepatitis B core antibodies. These antibodies are found in both acute and chronic hepatitis B patients. They are also an indicator of past infection. Anti-HBc may be the only indication of an existing hepatitis B viral infection.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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