What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that can cause chronic inflammation and liver damage if not detected and treated. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and often has no symptoms, making testing critical for diagnosis.
The Hepatitis C virus is primarily spread through exposure to infected blood. Individuals who are most at risk of contracting HCV include people who inject drugs using shared needles and healthcare workers who experience accidental needlesticks. Other less common ways of HCV transmission include:
- Blood transfusion
- Piercing or tattooing in unsanitary settings
- Receiving dialysis treatment
- Transmission from mother to fetus
- Unprotected sexual intercourse
What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Blood Test, FibroSure, which is a noninvasive blood test used to evaluate liver damage from HCV infection, especially when a biopsy is not feasible. The FibroSure® test detects six biochemical markers present in a blood sample. These markers are then analyzed, along with your age and gender, to assess the extent of fibrosis (scarring and thickening) and necroinflammatory activity (swelling) in your liver.
This test combines age, gender, and the following biochemical components to provide fibrosis staging and necroinflammatory grading:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- α2-macroglobulin
- Apolipoprotein A1
- Bilirubin, total
- γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
- Haptoglobin
When should I order an HCV Blood Test, FibroSure?
Individuals may order this test if they have been diagnosed with hepatitis C virus, to:
- Evaluate the damage to their liver, especially if they are at high risk of complications from a liver biopsy.
- Determine their liver status before initiating HCV treatment.
- Assess their liver status six months after completion of HCV therapy.
Sample Report
Preparation:
Fasting for at least 8 hours is required.
Test Results:
9-11 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
