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Anti-HBc: hepatitis B antibodies, blood donation and chronic infection

According to Thuisarts, in hepatitis B the liver is inflamed by a virus, and according to the RIVM, after an infection antibodies start forming against the core antigen (HBcAg) of that virus: anti-HBc. According to the RIVM, those antibodies stay detectable, even if anti-HBs gradually disappears after years.

According to the RIVM, anti-HBc is suited to finding out whether someone has ever had an HBV infection; according to the RIVM, chronic carriage exists when HBsAg stays detectable for longer than 6 months, and, according to the RIVM, the risk that an infection becomes chronic is less than 5% in adults. Because, according to Thuisarts, most people infected with hepatitis B have no symptoms, only a blood test shows the antibodies.

Star-SHL uses 'negative' as the reference for anti-HBc.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Anti-HBc are antibodies to the core antigen (HBcAg) of the hepatitis B virus. According to the RIVM, they point to an old or recent infection and are not present after vaccination.

  • Star-SHL and Diagnostiek voor U use 'negative' as the reference for anti-HBc.
  • According to the RIVM, a high IgM anti-HBc characterises a recent acute infection or a flare-up in a chronic infection.
  • According to the RIVM, in a newborn the mother's antibodies, including anti-HBc, can stay positive for up to 24 months.

Reference Ranges

Expected result Negative

Anti-HBc shows whether you have ever had hepatitis B. Vaccination does not make this result positive — after vaccination anti-HBc is negative and anti-HBs is positive. A positive result does not mean you currently have an infection: it usually reflects an infection that cleared on its own, and in a low-prevalence country such as the Netherlands a positive result is also regularly a false positive. Discuss a positive result with your GP.

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: what this test measures

An anti-HBc test measures antibodies to the core antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBcAg), while a test for HBsAg detects the surface antigen on the envelope of the virus.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: why this value matters

Anti-HBc matters in chronic liver disease, HIV or immunosuppression: with an isolated anti-HBc, the RIVM advises in those situations to discuss with the treating doctor whether HBV DNA can be measured.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Which test
IVF Partner Screening (Men) · €325,-
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: when is testing worthwhile?

According to the RIVM, blood donors in the Netherlands have also been screened for anti-HBc since 2011, to reduce the risk of a hidden hepatitis B infection further.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

At Star-SHL, which measures total anti-HBc with ECLIA in serum, a negative result equals that laboratory's reference of 'negative'.

High Levels

According to the RIVM, a positive anti-HBc occurs after an old and after a recent infection; according to the RIVM, whether that infection has healed or become chronic shows from HBsAg and anti-HBs. According to the RIVM, serious complications of a chronic infection include cirrhosis of the liver.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: causes of a low or high value

What raises the value

  • An old or recent hepatitis B infection

    Anti-HBc points to an old or recent infection and is not present after vaccination.

  • An infection long ago in which the other antibodies have faded

    An isolated anti-HBc can be an infection long ago, often in childhood, in which anti-HBs and anti-HBe have faded.

  • A false-positive result

    An isolated anti-HBc can be false-positive; the chance of that depends on the group tested.

  • The mother's antibodies in a newborn

    The mother's antibodies, including anti-HBc, can cross the placenta and stay positive in the newborn for up to 24 months.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: lifestyle and this value

With a positive anti-HBc, tell your GP about chronic liver disease, HIV or immunosuppressive medicines if they apply.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: frequently asked questions

Is donated blood tested for anti-HBc?

Yes, according to the RIVM, blood and donor material in the Netherlands are tested for HBsAg, HBV DNA and anti-HBc.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody: sources

  1. RIVM LCI, Overzicht HBV-markers, core-only en HBsAg-negatieve HBV-infecties, lci.rivm.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-18 (retrieved 2026) lci.rivm.nl
  2. RIVM LCI, richtlijn Hepatitis B, lci.rivm.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-18 (retrieved 2026) lci.rivm.nl

Test Products

This marker is included in the following test panels.

Medical reviewer

Medical standards

Dr. Naimi oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments.

Medical policy
CIBG Ministerie van Volksgezondheid,
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Hepatitis B Core Antibody

€51,-