A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Hepatitis A Antibody (IgM)

IgM antibodies tied to a recent hepatitis A infection, from one draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
2 to 4 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test checks your blood for IgM antibodies to hepatitis A, the early type of antibody the immune system makes during an infection. A reactive result suggests a current or recent infection. It is not a check of vaccine immunity. If your skin or eyes look yellow, see a provider promptly.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

This test is for adults with questions about a possible current or recent hepatitis A infection, such as during an illness, and its result is read with a healthcare provider’s help.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows whether IgM antibodies to hepatitis A were found in your sample, which a healthcare provider uses with your symptoms and other tests to understand a recent illness.

Hepatitis A IgM antibody
IgM antibodies to hepatitis A are made early in an infection, so a positive result relates to a current or recent hepatitis A infection. This test does not show immunity from vaccination or an infection long ago. A provider reads it with symptoms and liver results.
Why it’s measured: Relates to a current or recent hepatitis A infection rather than past immunity.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 2 to 4 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Results are reported as reactive or nonreactive for hepatitis A IgM antibodies. The lab’s expected result is nonreactive.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

Talk with a healthcare provider about any reactive result. A nonreactive result is read with your symptoms and doesn’t explain an illness on its own.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

IgM is the early type of antibody the immune system makes when it meets a new infection. For hepatitis A, IgM antibodies suggest a current or recent infection.

Over time, IgM fades while other antibodies remain, so this test is aimed at recent infection rather than past infection or vaccination.

No. This test looks for IgM, which relates to a current or recent infection. It is not designed to show immunity from a past infection or from the hepatitis A vaccine. A healthcare provider can advise on vaccine records or other tests if immunity is your question.

If you have symptoms such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, see a healthcare provider promptly rather than waiting on this test.

If you think you were exposed to hepatitis A, contact a healthcare provider or your local health department soon. Timing can matter for the options they may offer, and a test alone may not answer an exposure question.

Biotin supplements can affect some lab results, including this one, and can push results falsely high or low. Biotin is in some multivitamins and hair, skin, and nail products, and the timing of your draw after a dose can matter.

If you take it, tell the healthcare provider who reads your results, and ask how to time your draw. Don’t stop or change any medicine or supplement without talking with your healthcare provider.

Some positive results are reported to public health authorities as required by state law. Talk with a healthcare provider about any positive result.