Hepatitis B and C Blood Tests
Hepatitis B and C are viruses that infect the liver. Both can go unnoticed for years while slowly damaging it, and both are found with a blood test. The CDC recommends that every adult be tested for hepatitis C at least once, and that every adult get a three-part hepatitis B test at least once. Hepatitis C can be cured in most people with 8 to 12 weeks of tablets. Hepatitis B can be managed with treatment and prevented with a vaccine, and the hepatitis B panel also shows whether you are already immune. With JustLabs, you can order these tests online at transparent cash prices, with no doctor visit or insurance required.
Recommended Tests
$52 + $18 order fee · $70 all-in
The 3 tests ordered separately: $57 (save $5)
Includes 3 of the 4 recommended tests below (not included: Hep C Antibody).
All 4 recommended tests
$75 + one $18 order fee = $93 all-in
How a hepatitis B panel is read
The three markers are read together. These are the usual patterns; your clinician interprets your own result.
- Surface antigen +, core antibody +, surface antibody −
- Current infection. Follow-up usually includes a viral load (HBV DNA), liver tests and a visit with a clinician experienced in hepatitis B.
- Surface antigen −, core antibody +, surface antibody +
- Past infection that has resolved. You are immune.
- Surface antigen −, core antibody −, surface antibody +
- Immune from vaccination.
- All three negative
- Never infected and not immune. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults.
- Core antibody + only
- Can mean several things, including an old infection. Ask your clinician about follow-up testing.
Who should test, and when
- Every adult, at least once
- Hepatitis C antibody and the three-marker hepatitis B panel, per CDC recommendations. Ordered as the Hepatitis B Screening Panel plus the hepatitis C test, that is $70.
- Pregnancy
- Hepatitis B and C testing in every pregnancy. Ask your prenatal care team, who will usually order it.
- Ongoing risk
- Regular testing if you inject drugs, have a partner with hepatitis B or C, are on dialysis, or have HIV. Your clinician can suggest how often.
- After a possible exposure
- Hepatitis B surface antigen usually shows up 4 weeks or more after exposure; hepatitis C antibody can take 2-3 months. Testing too early can give a false negative, so retest if your first test was early.
- Needlestick or exposure in the last few days
- See a clinician or urgent care now: hepatitis B vaccine or immune globulin can still prevent infection if given promptly.
Understanding Your Results
| Test | Normal Range | Low Means | High Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis C antibody (with reflex to RNA) | Non-reactive | No sign of hepatitis C (unless the exposure was very recent) | Reactive: the lab runs an RNA test on the same sample. RNA detected = current infection; not detected = usually a past infection that has cleared |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) | Non-reactive | No sign of current hepatitis B | Reactive (confirmed automatically): hepatitis B is present now, recent or chronic |
| Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) | Non-reactive | Never infected with hepatitis B | Infected at some point, now or in the past |
| Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) | 10 mIU/mL or more = immune | Not protected; vaccination is usually advised | Protected, from the vaccine or a past infection |
How to Order
Order Online
Select your tests and pay securely. A licensed physician authorizes your order.
Visit Quest Diagnostics
Walk into any of 2,200+ Quest locations nationwide. No appointment needed.
Get Results
Hepatitis B results usually post within 1-2 business days. Hepatitis C takes 2-4 days, a little longer if a reactive antibody triggers the automatic RNA test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conditions
Content reviewed for accuracy by the JustLabs editorial team.