I written you so many times asking for an answer yet have not received a response. I am hoping this time a response will be waiting for me as I would very much appreciated reading your informed opinion.

In a recent post, you stated Hepatitis B surface antigen is positive 99.9 percent of the time. That said I was wondering what you thought of my HBV labs.

I had a routine blood test for HBV and it indicated HBSAG positive. A second round of testing (more thorough testing) indicated HBSAG negative, HBEAG, negative, HBEAB negative, HB core AB (IGM) negative, HB core AB (total) negative, HBSAB (QL) negative, HBV DNA (QN & QL) = 9130 IU/mL, AST = 14 and ALT = 9.

My third, fourth and fifth HBV tests were all negative - across the panel. (Please note all five tests were within six months.)

I do not have any risk factors; however my doctor and I cant figure out how TWO separate consecutive labs indicated HBV. Keep in mind, HBSAG was only reactive the first time.

Dr. M., what do you conclude? If HBSAG is positive 99.9 percent of the time in patients with active HBV disease, is it possible (given my five labs) that both tests are false positive? Research indicates HBSAG does not come and go; however my doctor feels when I have a flare my surface antigen becomes reactive due to very low level of HBV DNA. Im not in agreement with this opinion which is why I am very interested in hearing your opinion.

I am very perplexed and would very much be interested in hearing your response.

Please write back.

I am very suspicious of this result because if you are a chronic carrier your core antibody should certainly be positive. If you do not have risk factors, I wouldn't pursue any further testing.