Hep B Titer question

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Hey everyone,

I need to get my Hep B titer done. It's the last thing on my health requirement sheet. To test for Immunization for Hep B, I need to get only the "Hep B Surface AB Qual" test done correct? My doctor has a bunch of test checked I that I don't need. I'm paying for this out of pocket as well.

Thanks

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I remember when I had to have that done as well. Your best bet may be to go to a clinic and see a doc that way to get it done, or ask the doc why he is ordering unnecessary tests! If you only need the titer then tell him your situation "I'm paying out of pocket and I only want to pay for what I absolutely need..." And see what comes of that.

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i went to the health dept because i was cash pay; it cost 63 dollars for 3 shots!

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

Jerry,

Assuming you've had the Hep B series, all you need is a Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HbSAg), and the result must be >10.0.

Good luck. :)

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Specializes in Clinic, Travel Meds, Acute Clinic.

Are you getting the titer because you can't remember if you had the Hep. B series or the dz. Or maybe you got one or two but not all three shots? If you know for sure you haven't had any of the shots then you should probably by-pass getting titered and just get the shot series. I am an international immunization nurse at my clinic and I titer all the time for Hep. B for those who can't remember or didn't finish shot series - the purpose is to see if they have antibodies to Hep B so they don't have to get the shot series. The test I order are to determine a past immunity (artifical active immunity) or a current infection (natural acitive immunity) of Hep B. Both need to be done. The test are: Hep B core AB, IGM; Hep B surface AB Qual. Hope this helps.

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at the school I go to you can also opt out; i have to sign the liability wavier because I did not have time to get all three shots before i start. I will have 2 out of 3 before school starts. some students can't afford the shots so they just opt out(which i wouldn't advise!)

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Keep in mind that some of us have had the entire series, but still do not seroconvert and show no antibodies. I have to keep my proof of the series for school because I've had to have the shots 3 times, and lost the proof the first two! Yayy.

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Specializes in Clinic, Travel Meds, Acute Clinic.

Right. I think only 1 in 10 convert.

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Right. I think only 1 in 10 convert.

Really? I thought I was special cause the vaccine didn't work on me - sheez

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Specializes in IMCU.
i went to the health dept because i was cash pay; it cost 63 dollars for 3 shots!

My health department did it all my shots completely free. I had to have new MMR and everything because I am sooooo old no one could find my vaccination history. The only thing they charged for was the TB and then it was only $15.00.

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Specializes in IMCU.
at the school I go to you can also opt out; i have to sign the liability wavier because I did not have time to get all three shots before i start. I will have 2 out of 3 before school starts. some students can't afford the shots so they just opt out(which i wouldn't advise!)

Opting out is crazy for Hep B. Try the local health dept. Also, my local university's health center does them for next to nothing.

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