What Does It Mean When Hepatitis B Virus DNA Is Below the Detection Limit?

Hepatitis B is a type of infectious disease. When undergoing hepatitis B testing, a hepatitis B panel test is needed to check for the presence of the virus. However, it cannot confirm hepatitis B diagnosis or determine whether the virus has caused damage to the liver. Therefore, a hepatitis B virus DNA test is required. Some individuals may find that their hepatitis B virus DNA level is below the detection limit after testing and may be unsure of its meaning. So what does it mean when the hepatitis B virus DNA level is below the detection limit?

1. What does it mean when the hepatitis B virus DNA level is below the detection limit?
When the hepatitis B virus DNA quantity is below the detection limit, it means that the blood sample tested negative for hepatitis B virus DNA. The detection limit may vary among hospitals depending on the chosen detection method and the sensitivity of the reagents used. Generally, a hepatitis B DNA level below the detection limit refers to a level lower than 25iu/ml. If the hepatitis B virus DNA quantity is below the detection limit, even if the surface antigen, e-antibody, and core antibody are positive, if the liver function is normal, it is considered as a non-active surface antigen carrier. In this case, regular follow-up of liver function, alpha-fetoprotein, abdominal ultrasound, and hepatitis B virus DNA quantity is generally recommended.

2. Normal Range of Hepatitis B DNA
The normal range of hepatitis B DNA is related to the detection instrument and reagents used. The normal values vary depending on the specific method and reagents. For domestic reagents, the normal range may be different from those used internationally.