Anti HBC IgM

You should get an anti-HBc IgM test if you have symptoms of acute hepatitis, such as jaundice, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, or very high liver enzymes, especially after possible hepatitis B exposure. It is also recommended when HBsAg is positive to check if infection is recent, and when HBsAg is negative but acute hepatitis B is suspected.

No special preparation or fasting is required for an anti-HBc IgM test. Inform your doctor about the date of any possible exposure, your hepatitis B vaccination history, and any known chronic hepatitis B. Also mention recent blood transfusion or immunoglobulin, and bring previous HBsAg and liver function reports.

No, fasting is not required for an anti-HBc IgM test. You can eat and drink normally before giving your sample, and the test can be done at any time of day. Inform your doctor about any possible exposure or known hepatitis B history to help interpret the results correctly.