Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from your arm
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 2–3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Skip the doctor's visit — order directly and get tested at your convenience
- Complete hepatitis B status — measures three key markers in one panel
- Fast, accurate results — CDC-aligned testing with >98% accuracy
- Confidential online access — secure results portal within 2-3 days
- Peace of mind — know your immunity status or catch infections early
- Affordable screening — direct-pay pricing without insurance hassles
Who Is This Test For?
- Healthcare workers and first responders at occupational risk
- Adults with multiple sexual partners or unprotected sex
- People who share needles or drug equipment
- International travelers or immigrants from high-prevalence areas
- Pregnant women planning for safe childbirth
- Anyone unsure of their hepatitis B vaccination status
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Purchase test and choose your preferred lab location
- Visit the lab — quick blood draw takes just minutes at 2,000+ locations
- Get results — secure online access to results within 2-3 business days
FAQ
What does this panel test for? Three hepatitis B markers: surface antigen (HBsAg), surface antibody (anti-HBs), and core antibody (anti-HBc).
Can I get tested if I have symptoms? Yes, but consult a healthcare provider immediately if you have jaundice, fatigue, or abdominal pain.
How accurate are the results? Modern hepatitis B assays have >98% sensitivity and specificity when performed in accredited labs (CDC 2025).
Will this show if I'm immune from vaccination? Yes, the anti-HBs marker indicates immunity from either vaccination or past infection.
What if I test positive? A positive result requires follow-up with a healthcare provider to determine if it's an active infection.
Do I need to stop any medications? Discontinue high-dose biotin supplements 72 hours before testing to avoid interference.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This comprehensive panel detects current or past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and determines your immunity status. An estimated 862,000 Americans live with chronic HBV infection (CDC 2018), yet many don't know their status. The test measures three critical biomarkers to provide a complete picture of your hepatitis B status, helping guide vaccination decisions or medical care.
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone at risk of hepatitis B exposure should consider testing. High-risk groups include healthcare workers, people with multiple sexual partners, injection drug users, and those from areas where hepatitis B is common. Pregnant women should test to prevent transmission to their babies. People unsure of their vaccination status or those needing proof of immunity for work or travel also benefit from this screening.
When should I order this test?
Order this test if you have risk factors for hepatitis B, plan to start immunosuppressive treatment, are pregnant, or want to confirm vaccination immunity. Test if you've had potential exposure through unprotected sex, needle sharing, or occupational contact. Healthcare workers and international travelers should verify their immune status before potential exposure situations.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show one of several patterns indicating your hepatitis B status:
HBsAg: Negative | Anti-HBs: Negative | Anti-HBc: Negative
- Meaning: Susceptible to infection
- Action: Get vaccinated
HBsAg: Negative | Anti-HBs: Positive | Anti-HBc: Negative
- Meaning: Immune from vaccination
- Action: No action needed
HBsAg: Negative | Anti-HBs: Positive | Anti-HBc: Positive
- Meaning: Immune from past infection
- Action: No action needed
HBsAg: Positive | Anti-HBs: Negative | Anti-HBc: Positive
- Meaning: Chronically infected
- Action: See healthcare provider
HBsAg: Positive | Anti-HBs: Negative | Anti-HBc: Negative
- Meaning: Acutely infected
- Action: See healthcare provider
Early diagnosis of chronic HBV can improve 10-year survival rates from 65% to over 90% (CDC 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special preparation is required. Stop high-dose biotin supplements at least 72 hours before your blood draw, as biotin can interfere with test results. Continue taking all other medications as prescribed. Inform the lab if you've recently received hepatitis B vaccination, as this may affect interpretation.
How often should I get tested?
- High-risk individuals (ongoing exposure) — Every 6–12 months
- Healthcare workers — Per occupational health guidelines
- Post-vaccination immunity check — 1–2 months after final dose
- Chronic infection monitoring — Every 3–6 months per provider
- General population screening — Once if no risk factors
Why early detection matters
Early detection prevents serious complications and reduces transmission risk. Missed HBV diagnoses add over $1 billion annually in U.S. healthcare costs due to preventable liver damage (CDC 2023). Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Early identification allows for monitoring, treatment when appropriate, and lifestyle changes to protect liver health and prevent spreading the virus to others.
Related tests you may consider
Liver Profile #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel — assess liver health with ALT, AST, and other liver enzymes
Hepatitis A Antibody Test, Total — complete your hepatitis screening profile
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel — broader health assessment including liver function markers
