Which lab test is drawn monthly for monitoring Hepatitis B?

The reason HbsAg is drawn monthly for monitoring Hepatitis B is that it serves as a key marker to indicate the presence of the Hepatitis B virus in the body. HbsAg, or Hepatitis B surface antigen, is the first sign of infection and is used to determine whether the virus is active. Monitoring the levels of HbsAg can help healthcare providers assess the progression of the infection and the effectiveness of treatment strategies. Elevated levels of this antigen suggest active infection, while a decline may indicate a response to therapy or resolution of the infection.

In contrast, the other tests listed serve different purposes: Anti-HCV (antibody to Hepatitis C virus) is used to diagnose past or current infections with Hepatitis C, not Hepatitis B. Liver function tests measure the health of the liver but do not specifically monitor Hepatitis B activity. HCV RNA assesses the presence of the Hepatitis C virus but is unrelated to Hepatitis B monitoring. Therefore, HbsAg is the most relevant test for routine monthly monitoring of Hepatitis B infections.