Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Having higher than normal levels of HBsAg might mean that you're dealing with a Hepatitis B infection right now. This infection could be new (acute) or something that's been in your body for a while (chronic). The Hepatitis B virus usually hangs out in your liver, where it can cause swelling and possibly mess with how your liver works. You might be at a higher risk of getting Hepatitis B if you've been exposed to infected blood or body fluids, had unprotected sex, or used needles that weren't clean. Sometimes, certain medications (like immunosuppressive drugs) or conditions that affect your immune system can also impact the amount of HBsAg in your blood.

Symptoms of high levels of HBsAg may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and abdominal discomfort.

Low levels of HBsAg might mean that your body has successfully fought off the Hepatitis B virus or that you've received a vaccination to protect against it. This protein acts as a sign of the virus being present, so when levels are low, it usually suggests that the virus isn't very active. This could be due to your immune system working well to fight the infection, or it might be a result of medications, like antiviral drugs, helping your body combat the virus. It's important to remember that factors such as when the test was taken or the use of certain medications can affect these levels. Low HBsAg levels could be linked to a resolved Hepatitis B infection or a strong immune response against the virus.

Symptoms of low levels of HBsAg are typically non-existent, as this condition often represents a resolved infection or successful vaccination.