Potential False-Positive HSV-2?

[r1024]

Hi Terri,

As part of what my doctor ordered as a standard STD panel, I recently received the following results on an “HSV I and II TYPE SPEC IGG AB” test from LabCorp:
HSV I IgG: 10.00
HSV 2 IgG: 1.63

The lab automatically ordered an “HSV2 IgG Supplemental Test” with the same blood sample which came back simply as “Positive”

I’ve never had any genital symptoms, nor any “known” exposure to HSV2/Genital Herpes, although I don’t believe I’ve ever been tested for HSV before (I’ve had other STD tests) and I have had a number of sexual partners over my 36 years.

As you can imagine based on your engagement with other people on your forum, having had no symptoms, I was completely caught off guard by this result, and have gone down a stressful, anxiety-ridden rabbit hole.

I’ve read that a number like 1.63 on its own has a somewhat high likelihood of a false-positive. In addition, in the combined I & II tests, there can be cross-reactivity, and a true-positive I (which a 10.00 would likely be an indicator of) can influence the result for II. Finally, I have been taking Nutrofol, a daily hair supplement that has a 3mg, or 10,000% daily value, of Biotin. I’ve read that Immunoassay tests rely on Bioton in their functionality and a dose of that value could actually manipulate results.

Then there is the Supplemental “Positive” – which I don’t know how to interpret, as the test type is not revealed. I know it’s not Western Blot, as those can only be administered at UofW, so it’s likely just doing the initial test over again with the same blood sample? Which may be supplemental, but not confirmatory.

Currently, I’m waiting for results back from EverlyWell and have another test via Quest that I’ve yet to take. I’m not sure what to do and am overwhelmed with information.

Maybe I’m just exhibiting confirmation bias and looking for reasons to believe my results are not accurate. But would love your thoughts on what I’ve outlined above. Many thanks for your help and advice!

[r1024]

Hi Terri — Hoping I might be able to get your perspective going into the weekend. Seen you’ve been active on more recent threads, so bumping this up for you. Thanks!

[r1024]

As a follow-up to my last post bumping up my initial question, I received results from my EverlyWell test. HSV-2 came back negative and my initial reaction is a huge sigh of relief. But I’d love your perspective on how to interpret those results as additional data to what I initially outlined. Thanks for your help!

I just took a Quest test today, after abstaining from any supplements, including the Nutrofol, for ~3 days, so I’ll have even further data next week.

[Terri Warren]

I now have 78 people with positive supplemental tests from LabCorp and negative western blots. I don’t trust this test in their hands at this point. EverlyWell also has many false positives, so I’m glad your result was negative.

If you can’t feel comfortable with those results, your Quest test is also positive, and you are worried, do the western blot.

You are correct that there can be some cross-reactivity with HSV 1 on the IgG tests.

Terri

[r1024]

Hi Terri, Thanks for your reply.

My Quest test came back as low positive (2.02), with a slightly higher HSV-1 (11.40), so there is a correlation between the slightly higher HSV-1 and marginally higher HSV-2.

Samples were drawn on the following dates:
7/13: LabCorp – HSV-2: 1.63, HSV-1: 10.00
7/21: EverlyWell – HSV-2: Negative, HSV-1: No Test
7/29: Quest – HSV-2: 2.02, HSV-1: 11.40

Given the negative EverlyWell test, still no symptoms, the potential cross-reactivity when testing for both (LabCorp and Quest), and no jump in IgG for HSV-2 despite another few weeks, I feel pretty confident that I’m good to go, but I would love any additional perspective you have with this extra data.

Do you have stats on the “likelihood” of false-positives for IgG numbers 2.00 and lower?

Also, how would I go about obtaining a Western Blot? Is that something you could help with?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

I would say based only on a 2.0 index value, that there is probably a 70% chance this is a false positive result.But I have certainly seen people with a similar index value confirm with HSV 2 by western blot

yes, I can help you get the western blot. You can follow the link on the website to do so. You can start by ordering the kit from the University of Washington at 206-685-6066

Terri

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