Help for friends does having full blood tests detect hep c

[Certificate000]

Don't no who to ask and if I can help my friends then I need to. Can't get straight answer from Internet.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

I think there’s a separate blood test for hep c antibodies (HCV) so it won’t get diagnosed just through full blood count (FBC/CBC) or liver function tests (LFT) however these can be used to monitor once diagnosed. Hope that helps

[Js706]

Emma is right - you have to do a separate blood test to specifically look for it.

But other blood tests like the full blood count or liver function tests could show abnormalities that could prompt them to test for hep c specifically 😊

[Minushabens]

I had a blood test a while ago that detected some abnormalities (from memory I think it was connected to platelet/white blood cell count). I hadn't been tested at all for Hep C, but the GP raised hepatitis as a possible explanation. I've worked in settings with drug addicts in my time, so I had a certain exposure risk.

Further tests ruled it out, but I hope maybe that helps with your question - that if you had Hep C, these sort of abnormalities would possibly show up.

Is your friend particularly worried though that they may have it? If so, simply tell their GP & ask for it to be specifically checked for.

[Certificate000]

Thank you for advice