I am so glad to have found this board. I was recently told my liver enzymes were elevated (AST of 76 with a normal range 15-43 & ALT of 134 with normal range of 5-54). From there, they tested me for the HCV antibodies adn it came back reactive. I was tested because for 2 weeks was having flu-like symptoms (fatigue, nausea, headache, low grade fever that kept coming and going during the day, etc.) I was finally talked in to going to the doctor. I was taking about 4 advil's every 6 or 7 hours and I have read that this could be a cause of the elevated liver enzymes. Of course, I can only pray that's the case.

What worries me is that with my flu-like symptoms combined with slightly raised enzymes AND a reactive test to the HCV anti-body test, well, it's not looking good for me. I've also noticed my urine has been a little darker than usual and maybe I've made this up in my head, but during the time I wasn't feeling well, my stools were looking somewhat ligher and "clay" colored. I've also read that this could be symptoms of hep c.

I was tested in April 2002 for the HCV antibody (during infertility treatments) and it was non-reactive, so that leads me to believe I have somehow come into contact with the virus since then.

I was also tested on Monday with the PCR/RNA test to verify if I have the active virus. I am beyond devastated because I just feel in my gut that the results are not going to be good. I'm a mommy to three young children and I'm terrified for their sake. My partner of almost 10 years has been wonderful and continues to be my rock through this scary time.

Of course, I probably won't have any results back for at least another week and the thought of them calling me and telling me I am pos for hcv is almost unbearable. I have been horribly sad and depressed and just can't stop crying. I can't stand these emotions and it's killing me that my children are having to witness their mommy so sad and upset. I know it's not a death sentence, but it sure feels that way right now. I have already separated all my personal hygiene items away from my family's and it's incredibly sad that this is how we are going to have to live. I am going to live in fear of my blood infecting them for the rest of my life if, in fact, I am positive. I'm not really a drinker, but do enjoy a beer from time to time or a glass of wine at dinner parties.

I am not in any of the high risk groups, so how I could have been exposed is really blowing my mind. Again, I had a test in 2002 and can't think of ANYTHING that could have possibly happened to be between then and now. Plus, with my flu-like symptoms just now happening, I'm thinking the exposure was within the last few months....even MORE mindblowing!!

I'm praying that all of this is just a fluke and the testing was a lab error, but again, my symptoms are really making me think I have a long, hard road ahead of me.

I am hoping to get a lot of support from this group. Thanks for listening.

Oh, I totally forgot to ask if anybody thinks that something else could be the cause of a false-positive hcv antibody test? Could influenza virus or CMV or something completely different be the cause of raised liver enzymes and a REACTIVE result to hcv antibodies? I have combed the internet and can't find anything of this nature. I know that false-positives can occur, but I can't even find what percentage of tests come back false pos.

I know that as of a few years ago I was also CMV negative, so that has crossed my mind. I think I'm just in denial and looking for ANYTHING that might give me hope. Thanks again for reading...

When do you get your test results back?

They told me two weeks, but when the woman was drawing my blood at the lab she said one test takes about 4 days (I assume the one that tells me if I am hep c pos) and then one takes longer (I forget if she said over a week?) and I assume that is for the genotype?

My blood was taken on Monday and today is Friday. I just hope they don't call me at 5:30 again with the bad news so I can sit and stew with it all weekend with nobody to talk to in the medical field. In fact, when my doc called me last Friday (at 5:30!) she sounded very rushed and like "oh, it's no big deal. Lets just get all the info. Once you go for the new blood draw, don't keep calling here for the results because we'll call you." I mean, that just sounded like a big "DON'T BOTHER ME". She's a new PCP that I"m going to and so far haven't been impressed with her bedside manner.

I know that I had hvc for a few years and had been tested numerous times and always came up negative. I don't know why it took so long to finally show up. It took almost two hole years...actually over that. I had been tested four times through out that time always coming up negative. Weird. You will be ok and yes it is a long wait. There are twenty percent of people who some how get exposed to hep and fight it off and don't have the virus. Are you positive for hep c anitbodies or a or b? Good luck....try to calm down. I know it is much easier said than done.

So far it's just antibodies. I had the PCR/RNA test done last Monday and they said it could take 2 weeks to find out the results. I think they also are checking genotype if the PCR is +? I'm not sure.

I have a liver u/s tomorrow, too.

My AST was 76 (normal range 15-43) and my ALT was 134 (normal range 5-54). I can only pray this was because of the large quantities of Advil I had been taking for my flu-like symptoms and that the REACTIVE result on the Hep C Ab screen was just a false positive. But it really doesn't look good for me. All signs point to hep c unless somehow my body miraculously clear it.

I'm just so terrified of these results.

So far it's just antibodies. I had the PCR/RNA test done last Monday and they said it could take 2 weeks to find out the results. I think they also are checking genotype if the PCR is +? I'm not sure.

I have a liver u/s tomorrow, too.

My AST was 76 (normal range 15-43) and my ALT was 134 (normal range 5-54). I can only pray this was because of the large quantities of Advil I had been taking for my flu-like symptoms and that the REACTIVE result on the Hep C Ab screen was just a false positive. But it really doesn't look good for me. All signs point to hep c unless somehow my body miraculously clear it.

I'm just so terrified of these results.

Good luck with your ultrasound. Let us know how it goes. Of course they may not tell you today, but your doc may be different.

I had the u/s today and it was fine (procedure wise). I've had tons of them when I was going through fertility treatments year ago. The tech didn't tell me anything, but she checked out the liver, kidneys, gall bladder, and I even saw my heart beating which was trippy! She said it will take about 2 or 3 days for the radiologists (I think that is who she said reads the u/s's) and then I guess my doc will call me after that. So, I am hoping by the end of the week I'll have some answers.

I just keep thinking that I don't want to know. This has really been a wake up call for me and I am just so scared for myself and my kids.

Thanks for being here!