My Test Results For Hep B Core Ab, Tot Came

Posted on Wed, 13 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : My test results for Hep B Core Ab, Tot came as positive. What does that mean?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
need additional info to fully interpret

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Hepatitis B is associated with different types of proteins. Hepatitis b core antibody is formed as a result of one of this proteins

A positive result for hep b core ab tot- this means that there was a previous infection or an infection is ongoing
Additional results are needed to determine which is these is present.

Normally labs would also check hepatitis b surface antigen HBsAG or/and anti HBsAg (body's reaction to hepatitis surface antigen).
If HbsAg is also positive along with your result, it means that there may be an active infection which can be spread to other persons

If the anti HBsAg is positive along with your result , it means that there was a previous infection or you received a vaccine, either case, there is immunity

If this is the only thing that is positive then the result is not clear and most advise a repeat. It can mean - there is a mild persisting chronic infection, infection that has resolved or is resolving or the result is falsely positive

Additional info is needed to see what is the case for you

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar