Patient guide
Making sense of your test results
You don't need to memorize these — but recognizing the common terms helps you follow the conversation.
HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)
Shows whether the virus is currently present. A positive result that lasts more than six months means the infection is chronic.
HBV DNA (viral load)
Measures how much virus is in your blood. A higher number means the virus is more active. This helps your care team decide whether treatment is needed.
ALT (a liver enzyme)
A marker of liver inflammation. When the liver is irritated, ALT rises. It's one of the signals your care team follows over time.
Fibrosis assessment (for example, FibroScan)
A quick, painless scan that estimates whether there is any scarring (fibrosis) in the liver. It helps guide how closely you should be followed and whether treatment is recommended.
Your numbers can change over time, and a single result rarely tells the whole story. Your care team looks at the overall pattern — always ask them to explain what your results mean for you.