Making the Diagnosis
Doctors use blood tests to determine whether or not someone has hepatitis C. This includes tests to detect the presence of the hepatitis C virus or the antibodies produced by the body to fight the virus, as well as tests for liver inflammation or damage.
The anti-HCV test detects the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. Antibodies are produced by the immune system as a result of a foreign substance (such as a virus) in the body. This test determines if someone has been exposed to the hepatitis C virus, but does not measure the amount of virus in the body. Another test called the HCV RNA test detects the actual hepatitis C virus in the blood and can measure the amount of virus in the body.
Blood tests are used to check for liver inflammation and damage. These tests check for enzymes normally found in liver cells. When liver cells are inflamed or damaged, more enzymes than normal will be released into the blood. Examples of enzymes found in liver cells include alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).
In some cases, a liver biopsy may be performed to determine the extent of liver damage caused by hepatitis C.