Hepatitis B Test Results: Understanding Non-Reactivity and Rising S/C Values
Greetings everyone, I am reaching out for some clarity as my online searches have not been fruitful. My mother, who is 72 years old and receives dialysis treatment, undergoes routine testing for Hepatitis B and C every three months at her dialysis facility. She has been vaccinated against Hep B and after her last booster shot, it was confirmed that she developed immunity to the virus. Throughout her life, she has never contracted Hep B, and we do not have any related family history. Upon reviewing her lab results from the past year, I observed an interesting trend: although her Hepatitis B test has consistently returned negative results, her S/C levels, which ideally should remain below one to indicate negativity, have shown a slight upward trend over the same period. The S/C values were recorded as follows: 0.25, 0.26, 0.20, 0.30, and most recently 0.33. What might this indicate? Is there a reason for concern? While her doctor assures us that she remains negative and possesses the appropriate antibodies, I can't shake off the uneasy feeling these rising numbers give me. Additional patient details: Age 75F, Height 5'2, currently on no medications aside from essential phosphate binders for dialysis, which occurs twice a week.
Answers (1)
7/3/2025, 4:10:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
Your mother's Hepatitis B test results have shown consistent negativity, indicating she has not contracted the virus. However, the rising S/C (signal/cutoff) values you mentioned should be understood in context, especially since she is vaccinated and has shown effective immunity.
Explanation:
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Understanding S/C Values: The S/C ratio is used in Hepatitis B tests to determine whether someone is positive or negative for the virus. Values below 1 generally indicate that the test is negative, meaning there is no active infection. The continual rise in these values, while still below 1, suggests that there might be a subtle change in her immune response over time, which could be due to various benign factors rather than an indication of infection.
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Vaccine Immunity: Since your mother has been vaccinated and has developed antibodies against Hepatitis B, it’s normal for antibody levels to fluctuate somewhat. The rising trend might not necessarily signal disease but could represent natural variations in her immune system's response.
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Concerns and Monitoring: While your mother's doctor feels confident that she remains negative for Hepatitis B, it's understandable to feel uneasy about rising S/C numbers. Continuous monitoring and regular testing are key to ensuring her health and addressing any changes promptly.
Next Steps:
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Continue Monitoring: Keep track of the S/C values in future tests and look for any patterns or additional trends. Compiling these results can help in discussions with her healthcare provider.
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Maintain Open Communication: Share your concerns regarding the rising S/C values with her doctor. This ensures that any necessary further investigations can be completed if warranted.
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Stay Informed on Health: Encourage her to maintain a healthy lifestyle, keep up with regular doctor visits, and follow any dietary or health recommendations specific to her dialysis treatment.
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Consider Additional Testing if Needed: If the S/C values continue to rise or if there are any new symptoms or health concerns, ask the doctor if additional tests may be warranted to further assess her liver health.
Reassurance:
It's completely natural to feel concerned about changes in health markers, especially in an elderly patient receiving dialysis. The fact that her doctor is monitoring her closely and reassuring her should be comforting. Do keep advocating for her well-being, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions when necessary.
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