Testing for hepatitis B usually requires interpreting the hepatitis B serologic panel. Sounds easy enough, right? But here's the catch: this panel includes a number of markers and will have multiple interpretations of the various results. Here is a helpful table for interpreting the hepatitis B serologic panel.
While we're at it, perhaps brushing up on what all those letters mean for each hepatitis B test will help. Follow the links for information about HBsAg, anti-HBc (also called HBcAb), anti-HBs (also called HBsAb), and anti-HBc.
I got HEP A, B, C from a dentist in 1970. I had acute A, and ongoing C, but never active B. Turns out I had B, but not a carrier, I could not get it or give it to anyone. I had a liver transplant in 2009 (cirrhosis and complete liver failure, about a week to live) and I am doing well. They gave me EPIVIR (sp) for HBV. I explained what I had been told, the hepatologist did more testing and looked at some numbers of antibody totals and they took me off the EPIVIR. I have HBV, but cannot get it or give it to anyone.