HELP!!

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:32 am

So I had my yearly physical wednesday and just got some blood tests back.
It says I am positive for;
HBV surface Ab
And I am totally freaking out, I just put a call in to the office to have someone call me back. I am confused, worried and shaking. What does this mean?

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:40 am

Hi,
I know the feeling. You can go to a website called labtestsonline.org, plug in HBV Ab and it will tell you what the test is for.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:53 am

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody. Did you ever get the Hepatitis B series of 3 vaccines? That could make the test positive -- it's just proof that the vaccine worked.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:58 am

I don't know, I must have? I can't think right now, I am just panicking!

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:05 am

I don't know how old you are, but the vaccine was not given routinely in my generation. It is, however, given or offered to ALL healthcare workers. I received it when I worked in healthcare one summer in college. Children today receive it routinely.

Interestingly, despite my getting the shot, the AB test was negative when I was pregnant. It doesn't work for some people.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:30 pm

Don't panic. Doesn't help.
The hep B vaccines were mandatory when I was working, and I believe still are in many facilities. In others it's offered but not mandatory.

Can you check at your place of work whether you had it?

Post by **tex** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:55 pm

Jenny,

That result can mean that you are recovering from an infection. If everything else was normal, I wouldn't get too excited. Lab tests are not perfect, either, and mistakes are sometimes made.

Tex

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:55 pm

zizzle, you were right (thank GOD). the postive just means that i had the vaccine. i just can't handle this flare i am having now and just looking at the test results completely put me over th eedge!
my wbc is abnormally low, so she wants me to have it checked again in 6 months and my billirubin is abnormally high, and she wants me to inform my GI.
Augh.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:48 pm

Hmmm, are you itchy at all? Yellow from jaundice? I've always wondered if getting the HBV shot contributed to my autoimmune issues. I still haven't given it to my daughter. Do you remember when you got the shot now?

I think alot of folks here have had low WBC on and off. Do you know which types are low? Neutrophils, etc? Maybe you did have an accute infection recently that caused the flare?

I hope it resolves soon. Welcome to my world of scary and often meaningless bloodwork.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:54 pm

We aren't supposed to get stressed with this disease but, it's no hard not too! so many new and different things to worry about! stupid blood work. I also had an abnormal/high ana/titer (sp?) last year. I have an itchy scalp, my derm was the one who ordered those tests for me. I see her in a few weeks too.

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:08 pm

Yick! Sorry you got such a scare! I really think that if they give you test results, they should at least explain what they mean so you don't panic!

FWIW, my WBC count was low as well. Never got any explanation why.

JudyRN · Post by **JudyRN** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:31 am

Do yourself a very big favor. Write everything down... your symptoms and especially your questions. Do not let any doctor leave the room without answering all of your questions. If they dismiss you and you are not satisfied with the answers, don't be afraid to say so. When we are anxious and freaking out we forget a lot in the presence of an MD. The results of a lot of these tests can be dizzying, hang in there. Also, ask for copies of all your test results. They won't give them to you unless you ask, but it is important to have your own file. It paints a picture of you and your symptoms. These specialty doctors don't consult eachother, so you can show one doctor the results of tests another doctor ordered. Hang in there! I hate that we are all going through this stuff... but we are not alone either.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:50 am

I also have an itchy scalp - had it most of my life - seborrheic dermatitis. Make sure you don't use shampoos or conditioners with wheat or gluten in them. Right now I have an itchy neck and upper back that started with a necklace clasp that probably contained nickel. It's driving me insane, but my doc doesn't see anything there. So frustrating there is nothing there to treat! I've tried hydrocotizone creams but get no relief.