8 wk labs AST & ALT elevated again

[lchou]

Hi Everyone,
My NP did not seem to be worried, should I be?  At week 4 they were 21 & 15.  Now they are 63 & 57.  
I think I have read that other people had the same thing happen.  Any input is as always greatly appreciated.

Lauren

[jmjm530]

Your test was relatively sensitive and I doubt you have anything to worry about. Certainly waiting to test viral load at week 12 is quite standard, but as stated, some here test monthly -- especially at your stage -- so that would mean a test around week 8 or 9 if you can get one. If not, I wouldn't put yourself under any stress about it. But when you do get tested, I'd recommend an even more sensitive test. If you use Quest Laboratories, their HCV RNA QUALITATIVE TMA is an excellent test for someone in your position. If your doctor doesn't have a Quest Account, all he has to do is write an rx using the exaxt words above or abbreviate it as: HCV RNA QUAL TMA. It goes down to 5 IU/ml. LabCorp also has a couple of tests that are as sensitive and perhaps a little more sensitive.

All the best,

-- Jim

[lchou]

So you think I should ask for a viral load test?  I don't know how "sensitive" the test was but I just looked at it HCV RNA, IU/ml <28
                               HCV RNA, log10 <1.4?
The plan is for a 12 week check of viral load.  I wonder if the antidepressants I started taking have anything to do with it.
My WBC has dropped to 2.2 but my hemoglobin is still high 15.4.
I am not too worried because I actually feel pretty good.
Lauren

[jmjm530]

Our posts crossed.

Assuming you had a very sensitive viral load test, you can forget about the enzyme numbers.

That said, many of us get tested for viral load monthly now --  so asking for a week 8 (or week 9) viral load test -- in addition to the standard 12 week test -- is a prudent request, regardless of other factors. But even more so if you didn't have a sensitive test at week 4.

-- Jim

[lchou]

Thanks.  That is what I thought, but it always feels good to hear it from someone else.

I was UND at 4 weeks.

Lauren

[jmjm530]

Did you have a week 4 viral load test? If not, I'd insist on a very sensitive (5-10 IU/ml or lower)  the day before your next blood draw. While the numbers may not be suggestive of anything, without hard viral load data in front of you,  the elevated enzymes will  raise questions.

-- Jim

[zazza]

FlGuy puts it well: During tx our job is to take the drugs - that's all. We shouldn't worry about ALT and AST since they really do not show much anyway since we are under the influence of medication. I would not worry at all about those numbers. ALT and AST are more interesting once we are off the drugs, then they can indicate whether we have relapsed or not. For now, just enjoy beating the virus up. Have you reached UND yet?