[Question #8762] Terri - I have more questions (continues from previous questions)
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40 months ago
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1) how high can the igg index # go ? mine was 8.0 - lab states that is high but I also read other info that 6-16 is moderate ? 2) Does the igg index value decrease over time i.e. if I contracted hsv-2 11 yrs ago, would the # be alot lower ? 4) does that # peak at 9-10 weeks after exposure, the start to decrease ?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
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If you look closely, you might see a "> " sign in front of the 8.0
What one calls this score - moderate or high - is not important. It is not low and normally does not need confirmation but if you've never had any symptoms, you could certainly do the western blot to confirm that this is a true positive. When people are first infected, their numbers are close to zero and then climb as the infection becomes more well established and then, it kind of stays around the same number but can also vary some, which is usual.
Terri
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40 months ago
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This score is confusing me. Why would there be a score if the number didn't signify something ? I am trying to determine if I contracted this virus 3 months ago or 11 years ago (time b/w partners). You say my score is not low at 8.0 but what is high ? And, when developing antibodies, does a person feel extremely fatigued ? b/c that's how I felt 3 mos ago & still do.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
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The number is based on a comparison of antibody compared to a positive sample, and a negative sample. It means nothing beyond that. I cannot tell you based on your value how long you have been infected, that's just the way it is. Low positive is defined as 1.1 to 3.0. So your index value is definitely higher than that. Developing antibody does not make one tired, no.
Terri
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40 months ago
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Assuming I contracted hsv-2 three months ago, and I took another igg test in 6 mos, would the index value go up or start to decrease ? I read that the development of antibodies peak at 9-10 weeks, if that is correct ? Thank you in advance for your answers, they have been invaluable to me.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
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Different people have their antibody full present (peak) at various times - some within a month, some 12 weeks.
Again, I think there might be a ">" sign in front of the 8. If that is the case, we have no idea what the actual index value is and wouldn't be able to make sense of any changes.
I think you are seriously overestimating the value and meaning of index values.
Terri
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