HCV-RNA is below the lower limit of detection, meaning that no hepatitis C virus RNA is found in the blood in a blood test related to hepatitis C virus nucleic acid material. this may be in patients who are positive for hepatitis C antibodies for further testing. If a high sensitivity test is used below the lower limit of detection and other items such as liver function and liver ultrasound are normal, the patient may be considered not to have hepatitis C virus infection at this time. However, a positive hepatitis C antibody indicates a previous infection with the hepatitis C virus. If a patient with hepatitis C takes the appropriate antiviral medication orally and the hepatitis C RNA quantification is checked below the lower limit of detection, this indicates that the medication is more effective and has controlled the hepatitis C virus to a very low range or even cleared the hepatitis C virus. Patients can be retested several more times, and if the test is still below the lower limit of detection after several retests, it means that hepatitis C has been cured.