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Hepatitis C Blood Test: Antibody, RNA Viral Load & Liver Panels
Antibody screening, RNA confirmation, and liver function markers in one place, with 20% promotional savings.
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Panels from $35.84 (regularly $45.95) with promotional pricing at time of writing; standalone RNA viral load and genotype tests from $159.86 to $178.58.
At a glance
Hepatitis C testing screens your blood for HCV antibodies and, when indicated, measures viral RNA to show whether an infection is currently active. These panels are designed for adults who want to check their hepatitis C status, especially anyone with past exposure risks such as shared needles, older blood transfusions, or non-sterile tattoos, and several options pair HCV screening with liver function markers like ALT and AST so results can be reviewed in context with your doctor.
Best suited for
- Adults who have never been screened for hepatitis C and want a baseline status check
- Anyone with past exposure risks, shared needles, a blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected donor, dialysis, or tattoos and piercings done with non-sterile equipment
- Household members or partners of someone with hepatitis C who share close contact or personal items
- People with a prior reactive antibody result who need RNA viral load or genotype follow-up to review with their doctor
- Anyone who wants liver function markers such as ALT and AST measured alongside their HCV status
What's included
Hepatitis C Antibody & Liver Function Panel
HCV antibody with reflex to quantitative HCV RNA PCR, plus albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST, bilirubin (direct, indirect, total), globulin, and total protein
Hepatitis C Antibody, HCV RNA & Liver Panel
Antibody screening and RNA testing paired with liver function markers (2 tests, 12 biomarkers)
Hepatitis C Viral RNA Quantitative Test
Measures HCV viral load; also known as the HCV RNA, hepatitis C viral load, or HCV PCR test
Hepatitis C Viral RNA Genotype Lipa Test
Identifies the HCV genotype, which differs in therapy response and prognosis
Hepatitis C Antibody and RNA Test Panel
Combines antibody screening with quantitative PCR viral load measurement (2 tests, 4 biomarkers)
Deep-dive the key markers: ALT
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used cutoffs place ALT below roughly 30–40 U/L, with slightly lower thresholds often cited for women; recent exercise and alcohol can raise results.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–30 U/L |
| Borderline high | 30–50 U/L |
| High | 50–100 U/L |
The importance of testing
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that often produces no symptoms for years, so many people carry it without knowing. The virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact: shared needles, blood transfusions or organ transplants from an infected donor, medical or dialysis exposure in settings with inadequate infection control, tattoos or piercings done with unsterilized equipment, and, less commonly, sexual contact or shared personal items like razors and toothbrushes.
Testing works in stages. An antibody test screens for evidence of past exposure to HCV. A reflex or standalone RNA (PCR) test then measures the virus's genetic material directly, showing whether an infection is currently active and how much virus is circulating. Genotype testing identifies which strain you carry, information your doctor can use when weighing options, since HCV strains differ in how they respond to therapy.
Several of these panels also include liver function markers: ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin (total, direct, and indirect), albumin, globulin, and total protein. Because chronic hepatitis C is associated with liver stress over time, tracking these markers alongside your HCV status gives you and your doctor a fuller picture of how your liver is functioning.
Knowing your status early makes conversations with your physician more productive. If an antibody screen is reactive or a liver marker is out of range, bring the results to your doctor to discuss confirmation, trends over time, and next steps.
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Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What does a hepatitis C blood test measure?
A hepatitis C blood test measures HCV antibodies, which indicate past exposure to the virus, and, in reflex or combined panels, HCV RNA, which shows whether an infection is currently active and how much virus is circulating. Some panels also include liver function markers such as ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin so you can see markers associated with liver health alongside your HCV status.
What is the difference between the antibody test and the RNA (viral load) test?
The antibody test screens for evidence that your immune system has encountered HCV at some point, while the RNA test measures the virus's genetic material directly to flag a current, active infection. Because antibodies can persist after an infection has cleared, a reactive antibody screen is typically followed by RNA testing, several of these panels include that reflex step automatically. Review any reactive or detectable result with your doctor.
Can I order a hepatitis C test without a doctor's visit?
Yes, these hepatitis C panels can be ordered online through the partner lab without scheduling a doctor's visit first. You choose a panel, visit a local draw location for a blood sample, and receive results privately. Any reactive or out-of-range result should still be reviewed with your own physician for confirmation and next steps.
Why would someone need the HCV genotype test?
The HCV genotype test identifies which strain of hepatitis C virus is present, and strains differ in how they respond to therapy and in long-term outlook. Doctors use genotype information to guide therapy planning and to monitor people with chronic hepatitis C, so this test is most relevant after an active infection has been confirmed by RNA testing.
Is hepatitis C lab testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. If you live elsewhere in the US, you can typically order online and have your sample collected at a local patient service center.
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