Mild elevations in AST, Albumin, GGT

Had a physcial, and LFT results were slightly off:

AST 41 (range 3-35 u/l)
Albumin 5.3 (range 3.7 - 5.1 u/l)
GGT 67 (range 3-60 u/l)
Iron 176 (range 35-175 u/l)

ALT was normal at 38 (range 3-40 u/l)

Doc immediately suggested HCV. I know so little about it, and my head is reeling. She suggested we wait a few months and retest. If same results, she'll run Hep tests. I'm not in risk category (no transfusions, etc.). Boyfriend and I have been monogomous for over a year -- he's concerned (I think for himself) and wants me to screen for HCV sooner than later. Oh, did I mention, we're going away for 3 months -- so if it's +, I can't re-test or puruse treatment until Aug.

I hadn't fasted before the bloodwork and don't know if that would affect the results. Am a chain-chewer of Nicorette (go thru ~25 pieces a day). Not a drinker. Hypothryoid and on levothyroxine.

Anyone with similar results or background? Thoughts around testing now or later?

[FlGuy]

Go take off for the three months and leave thought of possible hcv behind.  You can test further upon return. The AST/ALT aren't that far out of whack, yet should be investigated at some point. If the concern is sexual transmission of hcv, it a low risk, low probability.  If you have hcv it's a slow moving disease and many here, including myself, have had it more tha 30 years and still talking about it.  If you have a need to know sooner the tests to determine hcv are easy (blood draw) and fairly quick (about a week's processing) and require only your doc's perscription which can be taken to a nearby lab outlet - like Qwest Diagnostics.  Where are you going?

[doglover28]

Sam,
You are probably fine, but instead of running the liver panel tests a second time, I would request the HCV antibody test.  I was just diagnosed, but I had risk factors from 25 years ago. I went for a routine physical, and my ALT was 48.  Everything else was fine.  When the doc ran the Hep-C antibody test, he did the liver panel test over, and my ALT was normal 24.  
Try not to worry.  YOu are probably fine if you don't have any risk factors. good luck

[doglover28]

Sam,
something that I forgot to add was when my doc did additional liver test, he checked for hemochromtosis.  I have a few friends that have it.  It has to do with the liver not processesing iron or something like that.  It can be treated. I was told it is prevelent in people with Irish heritage. Less common in pre menopouse women.
Pam

[LvdByGod]

hi and welcome here. there should be no real reason for that dr to wait on the hep c test if  he thinks that could be the problem... and fasting would not have mattered on those particular tests. but he is probably just wanting to varify that the bloods are truly out of wack and not just a fluke or something temparary... but, don't let him make you wait very long in case it is something serious that needs attention right away.  

high albumin and iron can mean some liver damage has occured. the key is to figure out what is causing your liver to be having problems... so you really should get that hepc test done and perhaps some other tests to get to the bottom of it... and eventually a biopsy which is the only real way to find out the true condition of your liver. (don't worry about that most of us here have had it and it's not that big of a deal)...

high iron and abnormal liver tests can also mean hemochromatosis. in fact there are several different things that can cause these numbers to be abnormal, not just hep c.

if it is hep c the only way it can be transfered is through the blood. so it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. it has to be blood to blood. my husband and i use condoms just in case though...but, my blood would have to get inside his blood stream...and that would be hard to do with normal sex if neither of us are bleeding etc... but, condoms do make us feel better as a saftey precaution.

so the big thing for you is to keep at the dr so he will not let this go for too long. the liver can endure alot so i don't think a couple weeks would matter much. but you do need to find out the cause of this as soon as you can so you can stop whatever is damaging your liver...if these tests are in fact high you will want to get refered to a liver specialist...perferably a hepatologist, although a gastrointerologist may be able to help too...

stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

sandi

[sam_40]

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I decided to have the blood test tomorrow morning (want to fast -- although she said it doesn't matter ... everything I read says fast, so I will). I asked her why she suggested we wait -- said it was because it was my AST not ALT that was elevated. She said it's a chance that I had a virus last month and the readings were out of whack. We'll see. Thanks for the tip on hemochromotosis -- I'll mention it tomorrow. I'm already in menopause (and only 40!!). As far as the trip, am going cross country to Alaska via the US Coastline. Hope to have positive news from the doc early next week. Thanks again for your insights!!!

[LvdByGod]

just relooking at your tests... they really arn't that bad. so the dr probably does just want to see a pattern here... high GGT can happen if you had something alcoholic the night before or some tylanol and the iron is not that high at all...sooo take a deep breath and just follow up on it...

[Dale_Ray]

Andy  Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:  

I  don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except  numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory  are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black  Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things  like the UnitedCaucasianCollege Fund, Cloud Magazine, White  Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what  happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.  

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing  makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car,  but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.  

I  believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, that is why there  are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING  MARTHA BURKE?

I  think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is  an opinion.

I  have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are  different, weird, or tick me off.

When  70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the  population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of  Probability.

I  believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a  newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of  fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak  English!

My  father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries  you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.  

I think the police should have every right to  shoot your sorry self if you threaten them after they tell you to stop.  If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the  above lines.

I  don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are  qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans  or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket  store, or any other business.

We  did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in  wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come  over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to  their interpretations.

I  don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.  

I  know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That  doesn't stop you from watching them.

I  think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and  continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next  operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.  

It  doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a  parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when  necessary, and say "NO!"

I  think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't  pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until  that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected  mouth as you serve me French fries!

I  am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and  not a single one of them was born in Africa;  so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa  is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American  because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from  Europe.  I am proud to be from America  and nowhere else

And  if you don't like my point of view, tough...

[LvdByGod]

oops!!! wrong forum!!! LOL

[doglover28]

Sam,

Your trip sounds exciting!!  Have a great time. Please keep us posted.  By the way, my husband had a virus prior to a physcial once, and his test results were out of wack.  Try not to worry and have fun on your trip.

Pam

[sunspot]

I knew that was you without seeing your posted name. Thumbs up.

[Dale_Ray]

I know Ina. Sometimes I just get off of the crazy farm. Kalio told me that Snowav relapsed and I think it threw me into my not right place. I don't mean it as disrespect for the forum or forum members or what they are saying. Dale

[Dale_Ray]

I'm getting predictable, well that's okay among friends. Dale

[jmjm530]

It's statitically unlikely you have Hep C given those lab results. Your doctor is correct not to test for Hep C now but I question why they scared you by mentioning it. If it really starts to bother you, then demand to be tested now although I doubt you have it.

[Rogirl]

Glad to hear you are getting another test--I know I wouldn't want to wait three months--wouldn't be able to turn my mind off during that time so I would worry.
I hope all goes well for you.
Enjoy your trip--it sounds wonderful.

Rose

[Dale_Ray]

This is political science 101 isn't it? I have such a cloud today I really have no idea why I put that in. It was that or talk about my whites being down along with platelets and feeling pretty rung out. I chose Andy Rooney instead. I'm sick of me and my problems. Hope you're feeling well. Dale

[Dale_Ray]

Never was but one pure blood that walked this ole earth. Irish / Mexican what a hot headed / hot blooded combination. Mexican is primarily North American Indian.

I don't see what the problem is with re-writing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish. Heck it starts our "Jose can you see.................."

I haven't smoked in quiet a while but today I could suck the bottom out of a pack of Salems.

I guess I should start waving a Scottish flag and wearing the clans colors on my kilt but that would be offensive due to my now hairless legs:) Dale

Are we going to stay out of trouble today? Nah!

[jmjm530]

Dale Limbaugh says: As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!
--------------------------------------------------
My understanding is that the only indigenous langauge to American are the Native American Indian dialects. How many of our own relatives came here not speaking English?

Sorry you're having a bad day. So how are your whites platelets?

-- Jim

[Dale_Ray]

Gunga ga lunga kemo saby.

Jim most of my relatives have been here since the late 1700's and still can't speak good English. I just figure its time for me to start learning Spanish just in case. Ola and Adios amigo!

Ps: I'm still hold my counts but low. I have had this silly fever for five days now. Wife has an intestinal virus she got from our grandson and he is stil sick. Daughter has had it. Here is a laugh. This week I am the healthy one in the family. I have to help them for a change. :)

[jmjm530]

btw I hope you don't take offense at my reply.  One of my best friends emails me lists like that all the time since I know him well enough, I REALLY let him have it :)

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Seems like everyone has gotten that intestinal virus thing. Maybe those on the tx drugs are immune. I also got it for a few days but that was after I stopped treating. So what's with the fever? It should be reported to your doctor if you haven't already.

My language peeve has nothing to do with citizenship. But it seems like every time I call for customer service or technical support I get someone in India I can't communicate with.

[mikesimon]

I just have trouble believing that a mild elevation in AST, Albumin & GGT would have such a pronounced effect on Dale. Those elevations can be hazardous in more ways than the ones I am familiar with. Mike

[cuteus]

Interesting how in Europe a large majority of residents learn more than one language, usually the ones of the neighboring countries, but US residents expect the whole world to know English, even when they are in THEIR country.  We don't have to be arrogant and ethnoccentric all the time, do we? It hinders our educational and cultural enrichment.

I hate that policy is made per won lawsuits, and not per common sense. If you are in a fricking wheelchair, why do you want to join the mainstream track team, or work in the upper floors of the World Trade Center towers? It is not discrimination, it is a safety hazard issue. It is not a civil right, it is common sense, they have no way to rescue you.

[sunspot]

Got a good joke for you. Send me your addy to sunspot9 using bellsouth dot net.

[cuteus]

from time to time, we have discussed organ/tissue donation and the consensus seems to be that HCV+ can share with other HCV+ but not others. If I was faced with the situation where my child had, leukemia for example, needed a marrow donor to survive but the only match available is HCV+ or had tx and is SVR, should it be left to the patient to decide or does the registry/dr have the last say?
I am debating whether to withdraw my name from the Registry I joined before hcv Dx. I recently got a card with my registry number on it, asking to update info that has changed since signing up.
It is so hard to find a match so many times, and if my blood matches someone, I keep thinking they should decide if they want to take a risk or die waiting for another match.
what would some of you do?

[jmjm530]

Not sure I fully understood your question but I'll answer it in the way I think you might have meant it.

I think anyone who registers as an organ donor has an obligation to be forthcoming with any information asked, such as whether or not you have or have not had hepatitis C. The only ethics here IMO is being straight up. Personally, if I didn't want to disclose my Hep C status, then I'd withdraw my name from the registry.

[amommy]

I completely understand what you are saying, and I think about it often.  If my child's only chance at life was with a donation from someone who was hep c positive, I would take that ANY DAY, and deal with the repercussions of hep c when necessary.  That being said, that is not how things work and is not an option.  People who need the donation are not given the choice.  You will not be allowed to donate, whether that is what the family would decide to do or not.  If you ever came up as a match, the initial screening before you are even considered includes hep c screening among other things.  I honestly believe that the choice should be up to the family after they have been educated about the benefits vs. the risks.  However, I understand that the whole idea is to stop the spread of this damn disease (and others) and allowing us to be donors would not facilitate that.  Good post!

[NYgirl]

First off..why is the doc waiting so long? I'd retest and find out what is what.

Second...a LOT of people in here have no real definitive answer to how they got this disease. They've never done IV drugs or had a transfusion but they have it anyway. It's just a very large percent of people that dont' know HOW but knowing they DO they are determined to kill it off.

I ALWAYS have preached the benefits of organ donation.  I have never had any doubt that my children and I were donors. We've talked about it since they were old enough to talk.

When I found out I was positive I realized that now cause of my stupidity my body will just go to waste because of my foolishness - any hope of saving anybody went out the window.

I don't think there is really any choice.

[amommy]

Most of my reply was in reference to being a bone marrow donor as opposed to an organ or tissue donor.  For the most part, the same issues apply in that situation.

[cuteus]

does anyone know of any tissue transplantation studies that included SVRs, even if chimps, and what the results were? IF they don't allow SVRs to donate because the pos antibodies, are they thinking occult HCV?

I think I would take it all the way to court and sign waivers, if it meant my child would live.

good input!

[GoofyDad]

How come we are protective of every dissability (ooops 'challenge') faced by individuals, but we don't provide protection for the stupid? The employment process must be blind to seemingly every genetic trait of the prospective employee except for intelligence, or lack of. Employment practices routinely and flagrantly discriminate agains those unfortunate persons who came up short in the allocation of grey matter. Even the State of California has a pre-application screening process that awards points for intelligence (like an IQ test), then awards bonus points for minorities and those with disabilities. Discrimination against the dumb, pure and simple.

On another note, nothing like a double dose of Hep B vaccine (got it yesterday) to remind you of how nice it is to be off the interferon. And it's funny how I can now spot a rise in interferon like I can pick out a Victoria's Secret catalogue in a pile of junk mail.....

[Dale_Ray]

Jim;
No harm no foul, I like to hear what someone has to say. I'm not the bigot I come off as sometimes. I do understand the foriegn jobs issue with India. If I tech problems with Windows guess where the call goes - India. I regret not taking Spanish in school. I insisted my daughter take it for two years. Its just the times we live in so we have to adapt, I'm pretty thick headed these days so if you ever do want to hurt my feeling you will probably have to explain it to me:) Dale

[jmjm530]

I think there are two separate issues being discussed here.

First issue is whether or not someone with hepatitis c should be allowed to be an organ donor.

The second issue is whether an organ donor has an ethical responsiblity to be forthcoming with all medical information asked.

The first issue is a complex one and can be pursued in many ways including social/political action. The second issue was well enunciated by Kalio. Medical registry's are a critical part of the nation's medical system. And while we can certainly question their criteria, we must follow it or put the system at risk, in ways we as lay people may not even understand.

[cuteus]

no points for being stupid? well, i'll be...

ok, I found a site on hcv transmission via tissue donation, but nothing about SVRs donating:
"Transmission of HCV by Tissue Transplantation

Conrad EU; Gretch DR; Obermeyer KR; Moogk MS; Sayers M; Wilson JJ; Strong DM. Northwest Tissue Center/Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, Washington. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1995 Feb, 77:2, 214-24

Abstract
HCV has been the most prevalent cause of chronic hepatitis in both blood and organ recipients. The introduction of a second-generation immunoassay for antibodies to the HCV (HCV 2.0) provided the opportunity to determine if the virus can be transmitted through tissue transplantation. Banked sera from tissue donors that had previously been found to be non-reactive to the first-generation HCV Antibody assay (HCV 1.0) and non-reactive for antibodies to Hepatitis-B core antigen were retested with HCV 2.0. The sera from two donors were reactive; the transplant records of recipients of tissues from these donors were reviewed, and the surgeons or hospitals were contacted. The tissue recipients were tested with HCV 2.0, and positive sera were tested for HCV RNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Viral nucleic acids isolated from viremic donors and recipients were analyzed for identity by sequencing of the HCV Envelope gene (E2) hypervariable region. There were twenty-one grafts, WHICH HAD BEEN TREATED WITH GAMMA RADIATION, from one donor; thirteen had been transplanted to twelve recipients. Serum samples from six of the recipients were tested; one was reactive. This patient had other risk factors for infection with HCV, and sequence analysis demonstrated non-identity between the donor and recipient HCV isolates. Nine of twelve grafts from a second donor had been transplanted in nine recipients. Serum samples from five patients were tested with HCV 2.0; four were reactive. In three of the four patients, the sera were determined to be positive for HCV by Polymerase Chain Reaction. E2 sequence analyses of HCV RNA isolates from two of these recipients demonstrated sequence identity with the donor isolate. The results of the present report demonstrate that the hepatitis-C virus can be transmitted by bone, ligament, and tendon allografts. They also support the need for testing of all tissue donors for antibodies to HCV before the tissue is released for transplantation. The results also suggest that seventeen kilo-gray of gamma radiation may inactivate HCV in tissue."
still looking...

[jmjm530]

Goofy: but we don't provide protection for the stupid?
---------------------------

I think the seeds have already been sown regarding competency with mandatory grade advancements in many elementary and high schools, not to mention some affirmative action programs. Pretty soon someone will file a lawsuit because they were refused admission to medical school because of bad grades. In fact, I think a number of doctors I've visited recently might already have done such.

[jmjm530]

Kalio said: Im not sure it is even a quetion of disclosure,
---------------------------------------------------------
I only brought that up because Cuteus mentioned she received a form to update info. I made an assumption that they might have asked her some medical screening questions. Cuteus -- is that what happened, or is this discussion more in the abstract?

But assuming for discussions sake that they did ask if someone had hep c or not, I still think it important to be forthright regardless of post mortem screening. By answering falsely, you're not only falsely inflating the donor data base, but you're potentially putting contaminated tissue into the pool if the screening procedures aren't as carefully followed as mandated.

[Dale_Ray]

I changed my donor classification with the state to "no" when I found out about hep c. I don't get my teeth cleaned unless I repeatedly tell the lady about hep c. It's on all of my records. I put it there. It's a personal thing. On the other hand the tainted blood I received that gave me the virus saved my life. If it had been the only supply available and I knew the virus was present would I have chose to die instead. We would have all taken the bad blood or the infected organ to keep going.

[leeac]

Good choice on going to get tested for HCV Antibodies (positive result indicating infection).  Now that your doctor has brought it up, it will be difficult to rest until you are sure.  The test results only take a couple of days.

I don't know why you would not ALSO get tested for Hepatitis B at the same time.  I sure would.

On a side note, there is a high percentage of population in Alaska with Hepatitis B.  You may want to consider doing some research on that, and deciding if you want to get the Hep B immunization vaccine(s) before your trip.  It is a precautionary measure, but one that will prevent the transmission of Hep B.  

Good luck, and let us know how the test results come out!

leeac

[Dale_Ray]

Your scenario would make perfect sense. But if the govenment or a insurance company was involved would common sense apply. Being a smart*ss again but any organ I had I would give to a brother or sister hepper. PS As long as I had no need for them anymore so don't start lining up on me. Dale

[can-do-man]

I was gonna have my named removed and when i said it to a doctor that was what i was told. Once i'm gone if somebody can be helped by me. Great, least i did something good. BTW hows your eyes???? :)

[Dale_Ray]

Do you remember Igor from Young Frankenstien well they are larger with more veins and cross and hang periodically. Still interested in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[dyce]

I agree with alot of the rooney post . I'm tired of beaten myself to death tryin to make a livin , when forieners come to this great land and get everything handed to them on a silver platter. I served in the military as did many of my fore fathers . I can't get the same benefits , why , cause I'm a white workin American male?

[can-do-man]

I was told that a person with hcv could donate organs to another person that also has hcv and it would help that person because it would move them ahead of others. Because the organs could only go tp hcv people. If thats true i would WANT to help out a fellow hepper.

[cuteus]

JM/ALL it was a post card with my basic info and registry # or donor number, the only request was to change the basic info, icluding whether I wanted to continue in the registry.
I was going to withdraw, but then I remember the reason I signed up for to begin with, a 5 yr with leukemia, looking for a specific ethnic group, but anyone could join of course. I think he never found a match, and he is no longer with his parents. That keeps me from withdrawing, but if I am called, I will disclose my status, and maybe even show the gamma radiation study, I don't know, but I can't bring myself to withdraw my name.