Hepatitis Panel
Topic Overview
A hepatitis panel is a blood test used to find markers of hepatitis infection. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver.
There are different hepatitis panels. Some tests look for proteins ( antibodies ) that the body makes to fight the infection. Other tests look for antigens or the genetic material ( DNA or RNA ) of the viruses that cause hepatitis. A common panel checks for:
- Hepatitis A IgM antibodies (HA Ab-IgM) and IgG antibodies (HA Ab-IgG).
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
- Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb).
- Hepatitis B IgM core antibody (HBcAb-IgM) and IgG core antibody (HBcAb-IgG).
- Hepatitis B type e antigen (HBeAg).
- Hepatitis C antibodies (HC Ab).
Your doctor may order a hepatitis panel if you have symptoms of hepatitis. These symptoms include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin ( jaundice ), dark yellow urine, and feeling very tired. This blood test also may be done if you were recently exposed to a hepatitis virus, even if you do not have symptoms.
For more information, see the topics:
If the term "w/reflex" is listed in your test results, this means that the blood test was repeated to confirm a positive result on your first hepatitis blood test. A positive result may mean that you have hepatitis antibodies from a recent infection.
Related Information
References
Other Works Consulted
- Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby.
Credits
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
W. Thomas London, MD - Internal Medicine, Hepatology
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Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & W. Thomas London, MD - Internal Medicine, Hepatology