Question for SVR folks

[James10500]

After achieving SVR have you ever had your ALT/AST tests as well as a basic LFT?  And if so what were the results?
My numbers continue to be high 2 years after EOT and 18 months posts SVR.  I have had a Heptimax test and clear of the virus.  Maybe I continue to feel achy, and fatigued not because of Interferon but because my liver is not healing.  I was stage 3/3, don't really want to get another liver biopsy but it looks as though I may have to, in order to determine the condition of my liver, considering my high LFT numbers.

[Dannyboi7]

My AST and ALT as been steadily in the low teens since I finished treatment.My biliburin within normal range.Liver damage when started treatment was stage 2/3,my AST was in the 80s and ALT was in the 130s.I finished treatment about 7 and a half months ago.I'm SVR

[mikesimon]

ALT is 12 and AST is 15.

[48weeks]

James I feel your frustration.  I have not svr'd yet, but I am at 42 weeks and even though my GI says I'm und, my liver enzymes continue to be elevated. ALT 133 and AST 100. I'm hoping a lot of it may have to do with the actual treatment. My GI tested me for Autoimmune Hep, but that came back negative. He says it's probably just the treatment or maybe fatty liver even though I'm only 10 pounds or so overweight. I don't know much about that. He mainly tells me to be patient because once I go off the meds, they will probably come down. I hope so.  Good luck with getting your's resolved.

[James10500]

Thanks all I appreciate your responses and will take your advice.

[BoceprevirGal]

   Hmmm, I remember my Tx Docotor mentioning that tons of things can cause liver enzymes to elevate. I dont think it is because your liver isn't healing, but you sayyou are achey, perhaps the inflammation is causing this?
   As a reminder, I went into Tx last feb, with extremely elevated AST/ALT, for the first time in my 20 yrs of having Hep C. Originally, for 20 yrs, every year I would get the LFT, and they would be twice as high. But a year and a half ago, they were ten times higher than normal, and my platelets dropped below normal.
   I did Tripe Tx with Victrelis, and at 4 weeks I was Und, and my enzymes were back to normal. I Treated for 28 weeks, and was found to be SVR, a few weeks ago. All my functions were back to normal, even my platelets.
   My biopsy was Stage 2, grade 3, so the elevated platelets were due to my body producing antibodies, and something having to do with my spleen. I think I would have to go to Medical School to understand the whole she-bang.
   You mentioned you need to clean up your diet, good idea. I do take alot of acre, with the food I eat: always a daily salad, or other veggie. I also take vitamin D3, 5000 iu's per day, and a sublingual Bg, 1000 mcs.  And all these expensive oils, that comein a bottle, made by Barlean company. My fav is a combo of fish oil, flax oil, and borage oil, and they make the oil opague, and orange flavored, and it tastes better then candy :)

[coeric]

Hi James - i received the SVR last week.   I was 1a and experiencing cirrhosis with varices. prior to treatment my ALT and AST were in triple digits and bilirubin was 0.8.  The ALT and AST dropped throughout the 48 weeks and became normal near the end of treatment.   My ALT and AST were 32 and 33 and bilirubin was 0.5 last week.  
blessings
eric

[willbb]

Hi James

Good to see you...been awhile

Just to add to some of the good advice above,have you had your TSH(for thyroid ) checked

I see the AST is slightly higher than the ALT which as you know may not even be liver specific
Also if I remember correctly you were G 3 which as you know also is more susceptible to NASH (fatty liver) which again can  be causel of higher enzymes..(below)

Just a couple of ideas James.

best to you...

Will.


http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/aspartate-aminotransferase-ast.html


Nonalchololic steatosis can increase both AST and ALT. This condition occurs most commonly in middle aged women with obesity and/or diabetes., but is also associated with jejunoileal bypass surgery, total parenteral nutrition, and drugs such as amiodarone

Both hypo and hyperthyroidism can increase AST and ALT, usually less than three times the upper limit of normal. Other causes of elevated ALT include hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, sclerosing cholangitis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

[James10500]

Thanks guys.

CDM- Not on any meds, Alt 80, AST 108, bilirubin 1.5.

Rivll- thanks for the advice, I've got to commit to a healthier diet.

Pooh- Congrats on SVR !!!!

[pooh55811]

James, I attained SVR 2 weeks ago. I finished Tx on Aug. 25, 2012. I just had my 24 week post EOT VL and other labs drawn on Feb.18th. My ALT and AST are still in the 20s. They were elevated before Tx but decreased during Tx and have been in the teens and 20s for several months. However, I was Grade 2, Stage 2 when I treated so my liver was not as fibrotic as yours at Tx start.

  

[rivll]

I am only a little over 6 mo. post TX and my LFT are a little high too. I am cirrhotic and I also am tired and ache.
My Hepa said there is no point in doing a biopsy and that it can take a few years for the liver to heal.
I think the right supplements can help and eating well too. No processed foods, no sugar, high protein, lots of veggies.(Anti-inflammatory diet)
Good luck, I understand how you feel, I too really want to spring back but looks like it may be a more gradual comeback.

[can-do-man]

Not sure what you mean by high or if your on any meds. I have labs done every 3 months, most of the time they are at the hign end of normal or just above......... Not sue what a biopsy would matter, I would just figure you are cirrhotic and go from there as there is nothing one can do about it..... Good luck