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How is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?
Hepatitis C has very few symptoms and often manifests itself only in the chronic stage. Fewer visible
symptoms mean lower chances of an early diagnosis.
Often, detection of hepatitis C is during blood tests for other unrelated causes as those carried out for
insurance purposes, during regular blood donations, treatment for any work-related injuries or other
general health checkups.
Normally, suspicion of hepatitis C infection arises if a person has had jaundice recently or reports blood
contact with an infected person.
Tests may not show presence of a virus in your blood right now; instead, it could show you contracted
the infection and report specific levels of disease-causing germs. Regularly rising levels of specific liver
enzymes could indicate an increasing rate of hepatitis C infection.
Once your doctor suspects any hepatitis C infection, you have to undergo various prescribed tests. These
tests are necessary to confirm diagnosis and prescribe suitable medication according to the extent of liver
damage or level of infection.
Usually, a complete diagnosis is not possible until around two to eight weeks after detection of
symptoms. In such cases, doctors do not wait for symptoms to establish and turn chronic. Instead, they
prescribe diagnosis of genetic material of the present virus to detect infection in early stage and prevent its
spreading.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C viruses are microscopic. It is only possible to view them under an electron microscope.
Simple diagnostic tests can, however, detect the presence of the hepatitis C virus in your blood.
Blood Test
This is one of the first tests for hepatitis C diagnosis. This test can detect enzymes associated with liver
functioning.
High levels of liver enzymes like aspartate aminotransferases and alanine may signify hepatitis C infection.
ALT enzyme is normally present in liver cells and blood. Any damage to liver cells causes them to flow
into the blood. So, high levels of ALT enzyme in blood can indicate serious liver damage.
Similarly, the level of other enzymes like bilirubin and albumin in the blood also provides indication of the
presence of any liver disease.
Red blood cells have a limited life and produce bilirubin after a natural breakdown. Blood passes this
yellow pigment to the liver, which then excretes it. However, if the liver is malfunctioning, bilirubin levels
increase as the liver is unable to excrete them or there is excess breakdown of red blood cells, not
proportionate to their production.
Drastic changes in bilirubin levels indicates the presence of hepatitis C.
Enzyme Immunoassay Test
This test detects the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C popularly known as anti-HCV. Your body
produces antibodies to combat any foreign germs or infection. These antibodies often remain in the
bloodstream long after the infection is over. This test can therefore detect if there was any presence of
hepatitis C virus and your body had produced antibodies to combat it.
The EIA-3 anti-HCV test is the most common test for the detection of HCV. However, test results are
not always perfect. Low immunity levels in the body cannot produce sufficient antibodies for detection
and so test results cannot be fully dependable. It is necessary to repeat this test after three months to
confirm whether you have contracted a hepatitis C infection.
HCV RNA Test
This test can make up for limitations present in the EIA-3 anti-HCV tests. The HCV RNA test confirms
the presence of genetic material of the hepatitis C virus. Doctors prescribe this test if you exhibit
symptoms of liver disease but your antibodies test proves negative. Further, if you have confirmed liver
disease, this test can detect the extent of hepatitis C virus in your body.
This is essential for prescription of suitable medications and treatments. Combination therapy with alpha
interferon and ribavirin can combat low levels of the hepatitis C virus. Further regular monitoring of HCV
RNA levels can give an idea of how well your hepatitis C treatment is progressing.
Recombinant Immunoblot Assay Test
This test confirms results of the HCV antibody tests. This test requires exposure of blood to strips treated
with hepatitis C virus proteins. Color change indicates presence of antibodies. Your immune system is
therefore responding to the infection generated by anti-HCV antibodies. However, there should be two
or three color changes for positive results. Single color change may not provide clear indication.
Genotype Tests
There are six distinct genotypes of hepatitis C with fifty more sub-types. There are differences in their
response to treatments. If you have genotype 1, you have a high infection and therefore require strong
anti-viral treatments.
The liver normally produces albumin protein. Low levels of albumin protein indicate decreasing liver
operation. However, this decrease in liver functioning need not necessarily be due to the presence of
hepatitis C virus. It could be due to other causes. Doctors prescribe specific tests to confirm hepatitis C
infection.
Lowered blood count is another suspicious factor for liver malfunctioning. Excessive scarring of the liver
could cause accumulation of blood in the spleen leading to its enlargement, thereby reducing blood count
and circulation.
Liver Biopsies
Hepatitis C virus causes serious damage to liver tissue. Often, fibrous liver tissue becomes scarred and
several liver cells die. There could be inflammation of liver tissue. Liver biopsy involves study of a small
piece of your liver tissue to understand the extent of damage. Doctors assign different levels of damage as
none, minimal, mild, moderate, or severe. Scarring of tissue is on a scale of 0 to 4.
However, liver biopsies are not without serious problems. Complications can arise anytime and could
cause serious health risks. Risks include bleeding, infection, pain, and damage to other nearby organs.
Liver biopsy proves to be the most accurate diagnostic procedure to detect the presence of hepatitis C
virus and infection. It also shows clearly the type and extent of damage. You may have liver biopsies
regularly even after successful treatment to monitor any progress or relapse of hepatitis C disease.
Doctors refrain from prescribing liver biopsy tests in elderly patients and those with serious medical
ailments and associated problems.
Other Tests
Other tests, like those detecting higher levels of iron and ferritin, low levels of white blood cell and
platelets, or the presence of rheumatoid due to severe cirrhosis or fibrosis could indicate the presence of
the hepatitis C virus.
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The above is an extract from the book "Your Complete Guide to Hepatitis C".
The book answer many of the important questions about Hepatitis C such as
What is Hepatitis C?
What causes Hepatitis C infection.
What are the first symptoms of HCV infection?
How can people get infected with HCV?
What medical complications can Hepatitis C cause?
Who can get Hepatitis C infection?
Is there any vaccination for Hepatitis C?
What are the treatment options for Hepatitis C?
What are preventive measures for Hepatitis C infection?
Can an HCV-infected Mother pass on line?
Can Hepatitis C spread through sexual contact?
Can an HCV-infected person donate blood?
How is it spread?
What about tattoos and piercings?
Do you know all about how Hepatitis C interacts with menstruation, pregnancy and contraception?
There is an entire chapter devoted to just this topic.
You need answers to these and the multitude of other questions if you are to be armed with the right
ammunition when suspecting the blood-borne infection in yourself or a loved one.
Early diagnosis is crucial! Waiting can be extremely serious and is not recommended. Each day that you
delay causes more and more danger. Get it done and get it done now!
"Your Complete Guide to Hepatitis C" is no replacement for medical advice and should not be
construed as such. Rather, it is a valuable tool to arm yourself with important information regarding the
diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
Remember, Hepatitis C is not a mental illness. Yes it is contagious. But good personal hygiene is a tool
against the risk!
Again, if you or a loved one suspects they have Hepatitis or are diagnosed with it, you need answers.
"Your Complete Guide to Hepatitis C" is just what you need to become informed.
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There is a whole litany of misconceptions about Hepatitis C and they don't seem to be going
away any time soon.
Did you know that by the time your symptoms are diagnosed it's often too late to protect your liver?
That's a fact and a doggone sad one at that!
Hepatitis C is deadly and you need to know everything you can about it BEFORE it's too late.
Once your liver is damaged by this blood-borne viral infection, it's damaged for good!
We all must take personal responsibility for ourselves and our loved ones. The symptoms are so close to
just a Simple case of the flu that it's just scary.
If you have read this far, it is likely that Hepatitis C is a great concern to you. It can be very devastating
once you or a loved one is infected with Hepatitis C. I will make you a very special offer. When you
buy this book for $17, I will give you the following 8 other ebooks absolutely free, as bonuses.
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Immediate Download
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For only $17, you get all these 9 ebooks:
Your Complete Guide To Hepatitis C
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Alzheimer's Disease
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Living with Fibromyalgia
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How to Overcome Snoring and Sleep Apnea
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Stress the Silent Killer
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Living with Crohn's Disease
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All about Asthma
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The Complete Guide to Eczema and Psoriasis
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Maximum Memory Power
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8 Weeks Full Refund Guarantee
Your purchase through PayPal is secure.
You purchase is also fully guaranteed - if for any reason, you are not satisfied with your purchase, you
can ask for full refund of your purchase. You can even keep the books.
With this iron-clad guarantee, what have you got to lose?
Go ahead and click on the PayPal buy button now. You will be glad you did.
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$17 for all the 9 ebooks
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Immediate Download
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Wake up and smell the coffee - take charge and learn all you can about Hepatitis C that affects over 4
million people worldwide. You owe it to yourself AND your loved ones. Take action now.
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Brought to you by Jacob Gan, PhD (Mich)
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