AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI)

[klonny55]

Does anyone have an opinion on this? My AST was 111 and platelets 195 when I had my blood work done. This was before I knew I had HCV and was still drinking, only 2 weeks ago. Will my AST go down now that I have stopped drinking entirely? Should I get the blood work done again after a while, at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks?

I'm not trying to diagnose myself and I have made an appointment with a Gastroenterologist specializing in HCV but that's over two weeks out and I'm just trying to get an idea of what these numbers might mean if anything.

Thanks

[LN55]

Sounds like you are taking all the right steps toward educating yourself and getting on track to get knowledgable and professional help with your HCV diagnosis. Take it from me, try not to obsess with the online research. I did this same thing with my porhyria diagnosis and then my HCV dx, then both. At one point I was spending all my time trying to become an expert on my condition. It is good to educate yourself and use the resources available to you but try to make note of the more important information and have this ready for questions to ask your specialist. You have a very active life and have taken the right step by eliminating the alcohol (I did the same thing). So remember it is very important to try to maintain the activities that you enjoy during this process. I'm finding this to be true during tx as well and I have made myself shut down the computer and not change my activities as long as I'm physically and mentally capable. You need that diversion during this process. Best wishes to you on each step that you take and keep enjoying your life!

[klonny55]

And yes I have an appointment in two weeks with a GI specializing in HCV at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center which is a Dartmouth College/Mayo Clinic facility.

[klonny55]

Thanks I will stick around I promise! My ALT/AST was 235/111 when my blood was drawn. I probably drank a little over a bottle of wine the night before which was fairly typical for me. When I got the results of my blood work I stopped completely, even before I had any idea about having HCV. My GP was not going to do the hep tests saying that the results were probably about drinking.I can see now that the enzyme levels are more in line with that of a viral infection. I asked to get the hep tests done which came back positive with a viral load of 44,000. This was all about two weeks ago.

I'm trying very hard not to obsess and spend all my time in front of the computer googling about this. My platelets are 195 and albumin 4.5, that's a good sign good right? I'm not sure about the exact bilirubin but was told it was normal. I'm riding my bike 200 miles a week, did a lot of cross country skiing this past winter and have always been fit, if a little heavier (15-20lbs) that I should be. I'm already dropping lbs from not drinking.

I'm self employed as a massage therapist and B&B owner, have good insurance and a wonderful partner who has been very supportive.

OK, enough rambling, thanks everybody, I'll be back when I have an update or question.

Peace!

[Dee1956]

The people above have given you excellent advice.  Platelets do run about 140 to 400. Your AST may go down a bit since you have stopped drinking.  
The main thing you want to find out is what condition your liver is in, i.e. do you have little damage?...and may have time to wait for the new drugs that are being researched now or would it be better for you to treat right away.

It is true, there is a lot of waiting around when you are first diagnosed.  Sometime it is even a "hurry up and wait". :)
I hope you will stick around and let everyone know how you are doing.  There are many many helpful, knowledgeable people here who are more than willing to help each other out.
One thing that you may want to check is if the GI you are seeing is a Hepatologist specializing in people with HCV
Good luck to you

[Idyllic]

I can tell you it took a couple of months for my liver enzymes to lower after I quit drinking. I probably had HCV at the time and didn't know it but still. They have not been as high as they were back then.

This link gives understandable info related to biomarkers of excessive alcohol consumption. Don't get me wrong since I am not suggesting yours was excessive; I found the explanations easy to follow.

http://www.jfponline.com/pages.asp?aid=6743
____________
I recall you mentioning you cycle and just thought I would mention reading that liver enzymes in athletes can be 'artificially elevated.'
http://www.endurancecorner.com/Larry_Creswell/blood_test

I just thought I would toss these ideas out there since there are lots of possibilities that could possibly be a factor with elevated liver enzymes.

2 weeks will be here sooner than you think :)

[FlGuy]

I don't think there is a meaningful relationship between AST and Platlets.  The fact that your AST is out of range is no surprise if you have HCV and should not be surprised if your AST remains elevated, even without the drinking.  You should expect that both AST and ALT will always probably be higher than the range no matter what you do.  Don't be too concerned about platelets. The range of normal is probably somewhere between 140 and 400, so your in the normal range and that's good.

No need to get crazy about anything and the two weeks will seem like an eternity. But, you have more waiting ahead.  Depending on which tests you have had you will have more and some test can take a week or so to get back.  There's a lot of waiting around with HCV.