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

Hepatitis C Test (with Confirmation)

Hepatitis C antibodies, with a follow-up virus test if reactive.

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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 measures antibodies to hepatitis C, a virus that infects the liver and whose symptoms vary. If the antibody result is reactive or borderline, the lab runs a follow-up test on the same sample that measures the virus’s genetic material (RNA). That helps show whether an infection is current.

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

Who should take this test?

For adults who want hepatitis C screening, have questions about past risks, or whose provider suggested it. Many infections cause no symptoms. If you have symptoms, see a provider.

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 results show whether hepatitis C antibodies were found and, if so, whether the virus itself was found, which can help a healthcare provider tell a past infection from a current one.

Hepatitis C antibody
This blood test looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. A reactive result usually means you have been infected at some point, but it does not show whether the virus is still present, since some people clear it. A test for the virus itself is needed to tell, and a provider reads the results together.
Why it’s measured: Checks for antibodies to hepatitis C, with a virus test on the same sample if reactive.
Hepatitis C virus RNA (if antibody is reactive)
If the antibody result is reactive or borderline, the lab tests the same sample for the genetic material (RNA) of the hepatitis C virus and measures how much is present. This shows whether there is a current infection. A provider reads the two results together.
Why it’s measured: Added by the lab to show whether a current infection is present.

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

The antibody result is reported as reactive or nonreactive. If a follow-up test is run, it reports whether hepatitis C RNA was found and how much.

  • 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

A reactive result needs follow-up with a healthcare provider, who can explain what your results mean and the next steps for care.

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.

Antibodies show that your body has met the hepatitis C virus at some point, and they can remain after an infection has cleared. So if the antibody result is reactive or borderline, the lab runs a test for the virus’s RNA on the same sample. A healthcare provider reads both results together.

Timing matters. The lab notes the time between infection and a positive antibody result varies a lot from person to person, so a test soon after a possible infection may not reflect it yet. A healthcare provider can advise when to test and whether to retest.

This test does not measure how well your liver is working. A nonreactive result reflects the day of your draw, and a very recent infection may not show yet. For liver function, a healthcare provider may suggest a liver panel, and they can help you decide whether a repeat test makes sense.

If the follow-⁠up test finds hepatitis C RNA, that points to a current infection, and a healthcare provider can talk with you about next steps for care.

If the antibody is reactive but no RNA is found, the pattern can reflect a past infection that has cleared or a falsely reactive antibody. Either way, share your results with a provider.

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