ALT

[relentless]

Wondering about ALT & AST levels.  They were AST 81 and ALT 163 before tx.  Cleared at twelve weeks and doing shot 19 tonight.  New blood work shows AST dropped to 48 but it hasn't moved in 10 weeks.  ALT dropped to 47, which is middle of range and it has stayed there.  AST is still slightly above normal.  Dr. said it didn't mean much because lots of factors may impact AST & ALT levels.  Maybe the tx or I'm thinking maybe my vitamins.  Otherwise blood work is OK so far.  Anyone have any thoughts on the signifigance of  ALT and AST levels.  I have read about folks stating that their levels were around 10 for both.  ????

Thanks

Relentless

[Bill1954]

Hi Debbie,

You have commented in a very old thread; you might want to repost this by clicking on the green “post a question” button near the top of this page.

Do you have any more information from the doctor? The ALT results you mention are liver enzymes; while they are elevated, they’re consistent with having viral hepatitis. The other number “11.0” might be a result from an antibody test; you’ll want results from the “HCV RNA test that the specialist will probably order. Try reposting this question for more info—

Bill

[red239]

i was just tolsd i have hep c that my alt is 104? i dont know what nu mbers mean im going to a specialist my tests it says hep c viris 11.0 what does thois mean? thanks debbie

[DownThisRoad]

My ALT and AST level dropped around week 6 of treatment meds.  On or around week 17 or 18, they went back up.  Dropped again on week 24 and are now staying in the normal range.  My doctor told me that it is significant to get these numbers in to the normal range, but they can go up and down during early stages of treatment.

[nurse12hr]

My hubby's ast and alt initially dropped during/after his first years' treatment, then rose after the second.  Eventually he was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. Sounds scary, but he is just supposed to watch his weight and fat intake.  

There are lots of causes of elevated liver enzymes  both on treatment and after. don't get too worried right now--it will likely stabilize and nothing will come from it.

[britgirl]

My ALT was 137 before tx, and the AST was 88. Within a couple of weeks on treatment they dropped to mid-thirties, and stayed at that level for the whole 24 weeks. It was only when I stopped tx that they dropped down to 11, almost straightaway., despite the odd glass of wine, and they have styed there for over a year now. So, I think that the interferon itself can cause the levels to be slightly high, at least that's the way it was for me. Don't worry.

[Steve']

High there my ALT was <b>90+ pre-treatment</b> I'm now on week #11 of Pegulated Interferon (Pegasys) + Ribavirin .... my ALT steadily dropped at each 2 weekly blood test until last weeks ALT is <b>37</b> I think thats gotta be good news, as far as I know it tells the Dr's that the treatment (Tx) is having some
affect on my HCV (3a) ... ~~Steve~~