Blood Test Results

[Gidget234]

I was diagnosed with Hep C a year ago.  At the time my ALT was 86 and my ALT was 138, platelet count: 249,000.  I do not want a biopsy so I've been monitoring my condition with fairly frequent blood tests as follows:  
May-03  AST 62
          ALT 84

Dec.-03  AST 50
            ALT 58
White Blood count: 7.3              
Red Blood count 4.67                
Platelet 274                                

May-04  AST 39
          ALT 46
White Blood count: 5.0
Red blood count: 4.92
Platelet: 241

July-04  AST 29
         ALT 33
White Blood count: 4.9
Red blood count: 4.80
Platelet: 212

After I was diagnosed, I stopped drinking entirely so perhaps that's why my AST and ALT figures have dropped so dramatically.  I was wondering, though, why my white blood cell and platelet counts are dropping.  Should I be concerned?  Is it possible for AST and ALT figures to drop too much?  Does that mean that my liver is going to reach a point where it's not producing any enzymes at all?  I had my lab results sent to my gastroentertologist thinking he would be very pleased with the results but, all of a sudden, he's pushing for a biopsy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Gidget

[Oreos]

Although your liver enzyme tests (ALT, AST) look better, they do not indicate the level of damage your liver has sustained, which is why your Dr. is advising you to have the biopsy.  Biopsy is the "gold standard" to determine the amount of liver damage and is helpful information in determining course of action (treatment or not, etc).  ALT/AST will fluctuate with hcv, but not drop down to zero.  They are an indicator of how hard your liver is working (higher # means liver working harder to process).  

Not sure why you don't want a biopsy, but having had 2 myself, they were no big deal and I'm glad I did.

Take care.

[MichaelT]

It is difficult to assess what some of these numbers "mean." ALT and AST values are general signposts for liver injury, however for chronic hepc infection they do not accurately reveal the condition of the liver. White blood cell counts... really covers 3 kinds (if I remember clearly) of "white" blood cells and it matters which cell(s) are changing in number.

These tests need to be evaluated in the context of your history. Next appointment with the doc, don't leave until you get answers to questions since it is you that must decide if you want the biopsy done.  God bless!  -Michael

[oldhippiechick67]

I agree with everyone else, the ALT/AST lowering can be attributed to quitting drinking and it not the only factor to determine liver damage.  The biopsy is the best way to tell how you should approach treatment (tx)...whether to get on it or wait.
Like they said, the biopsy (bx) isnt really bad at all!! I was scared, freaked out, but it turned out to be a breeze, and I wouldnt be afraid to get another one.
Your platelets and WBC counts are still in the normal range and havent fluctuated enough to be worried, but that is my humble opinion - your doc is the one to tell you (although not all docs are gods, some folks here have better knowledge than they).
Go to www.janis7hepc.com/labs1.htm  for general info on lab tests...and many other good things are on that site. The link that explains liver biopsies in great detail is  www.janis7hepc.com/biopsies.htm

[Foreign girl]

I NEVER had elevated enzymes, yet my biopsy was between stages 2 and 3 before treatment.

Foreign girl

[Honey15637]

If you don't mind my asking,,,,how did you find out you had hep c if your enzymes were normal?  Were you sick or anything else?

[Ella Mackenzie]

I agree with everyone, too. The best way to determine the condition of your liver is to have a biopsy. My WBC and platelets have been low since I was diagnosed 11 years ago with hep c and have gotten increasingly lower over the years.  The doctors all seem to think it is due to the hep c. This is one reason I decided on treatment now, in case they went any lower. The current treatments, pegasys and ribavirin, can lower wbc, platelets and rbc.

[Ella Mackenzie]

I think your bloodwork is in the normal range for WBC and platelets.

[Foreign girl]

I donated blood and was informed at that time. I went through 53 weeks treatment and achieved SVR!

Foreign girl.

[Is_This_Real?]

Just wanted to give my 24 week test results.  I started treatment on 1/16/2004 and after 24 weeks of treatment of Pegasys and Copegus, my test results are now as follows:

test       result     normal range
WBC         3.1       4.0 - 10.5
RBC         3.17      4.1 -  5.6
Hemoglob'n 10.6      12.5 - 17.0
Hematocrit 32.4      36.0 - 50.0
RDW        16.2%     11.7 - 15.0%
Platelets   251        140-415

HCV Quantasure Plus    <10 IU/ml         (undetectable)
HCV UltraQual           Negative

So, since my last test (at 12 wks), my WBC has risen slightly, my RBC has dropped slightly (by .24), and my Hemoglobin has dropped slightly (by .6)!   However, my Platelets have risen considerably (by 38) yeah!

And the best part .... since I took shot # 27 last Friday, I have now been undetectable for at least 19 weeks!  (orginally tested undetectable at wk 8).

Oh yeah, for those of you who follow the rise/fall of ALT, mine is now 31.  (It was 29 at 12 weeks, and 34 at 8 weeks.)

[layla]

Congrats! Great news. LL

[Amerabrit]

Great news, I'm truly thrilled for you..Congratulations:)

[Tallblonde]

I'm really happy for you!  That's fabulous news!

Susan

[hippiemom]

You do not need a biopsy to be treated for Hep C.  You need a viral load and a genotype.  I am presently on treatment and have never had a biopsy, didn't want one.  To say that it is no big deal to have a biopsy is giving false info.  For some, it could be deadly, as you could bleed to death, also, some find it quite painful.  I am glad thaat there are persons who sail through it, but I think opersonally, it is another way for the medical community to make money on the ill persons condition.

[cuteus]

you did not mentioned if you were going for tx or not. It seems you are just going to  monitor your liver condition with blood work. That could be dangerous. if you decide to wait on treatment, You should get a biopsy to help you with that decission. normal enzymes is not indicative of normal liver.  The complications of the biopsy are rare, check the stats. and most people like me  can return to work the next day. don't let the mention of complications overshadow the benefit of having a bx.  A good radiologist doing an ultrasound guided biopsy can make this a breeze.

[derail]

wow great news