Raise in ALT

[alijee]

After one week of EOT my ALT has jumped from 23 to 38 (Normal 5-40).  im taking 500 mcg mecobalamin (B-12) thrice a day, is it causing raise in ALT? . But im taking it since my week 15 of tx to tackle neuropathy problem. What is connection between raise in ALT and SVR/Relapse???

[alijee]

i have no words to pay thnks for this informative response. Thank very much Merry. You are alway supporting to every one. Its your greatness. As you said im still on half doze (5mg) of ecitalopram with doc advice. I m also taking PK-Merz(Amantadine sulphate) and neuromet 1+1 (500 mcg) for my neuropathy problem which was caused by Tx. Now its much better. Im waiting for my EOT PCR. i will collect the reports on 28.03.09 and will inform you all.

thanks again

Rocker

Thank you too my dear.


ali

[Kristina538]

Thanks for your informative post above;   it certainly filled a couple of knowledge gaps I had about post tx.   I'm really appreciative - it was nice and easy; 'layman's terms'.    Good luck to you MB :-).

[merryBe]

you are still in the normal range, albeit the high end of normal.

For the first time in 6 months your spleen is now having to make all it's own interferon, and fight all it's own battles again.

Everyday a certain number of liver cells die. The normal range is what is seen in most healthy adults. Cell death is a normal part of living.

So since you are now having less help from an outside source of INF you may see a bump up as your body returns to the hardwork of keeping up with cell damage unaided.

It isn't just about interferon either, it's all the things you are eating and dealing with. Every virus, how much iron you have, and all kinds of things play into your enzyme levels. For instance, as you HGB, red blood cells return to normal, your iron levels may also rise, it depends on your diet and the overall health of your liver. If iron is too high it can cause higher enzmes, and yes the antidepessants do also, although most doctors recommend people stay on them for at least 6 months following tx.

The main thing to know is that small of a rise does not mean you have the virus back.
If you can, I would encourage you to try eating more meals, but make them smaller meals. The best thing to not overtax the liver is to not gorge or eat one huge meal a day...little meals put less stress on the organ, and give you a better chance of surviving longer even if you have some cirrohsis.

Keep in mind that everday of your life you are going to have liver damage and that in the 20-40 range is normal. The liver is an amazing organ that grows new cells very quickly and replaces itself entirely every 1 1/2 year, or average. So cell death and cell replacement is normal.

I know your tendency is going to be to worry, but the worry is not healthy for you, and can lead to even more symptoms. The more we worry, the more we produce the stress hormones which actual do make us sicker. Now they cannot give us the virus directly, but they can weaken the immune system at a time you do not need that to occur... so not worrying is a KEY to your recovery.
Jesus said a hundred times for people NOT to worry...so it must be important not to.

Again, you are within normal range, you have not seen a spike like what was mentioned in the prior post by Rocker......so not to worry.

"Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding" is something we all must learn to do sooner of later. Now would be a great time to embrace that concept.
Its easier said than done, but I have faith in you that you can learn to trust Him a little more each day, and will pray for you to be granted His peace.

mb

[Rockerforlife]

In my first round of TX ,my ALT was in the 20`s all tru TX...4 weeks after my last shot...my ALT went up over 100....my nurse said i relapsed...and i did...at my next PCR ,which was 6 months post,i had indeed relapsed...your still ok it seems....if you get a ALT  test at week 4 post TX...and its still within normal range...you should be ok...but like my nurse said...if it jumps too over 100...in 4 weeks post...odds are great you relapsed...GOOD LUCK TOO YOU

[alijee]

Thank you all for sharing knowledge. i was affraid of raising ALT.

[Tippyclubb]

During tx my ALT had got down to 23 and a month later it rose to 38.  I asked the nurse if that meant my viral load was rising she told me no and could be caused by many things.  My blood papers states normal range for ALT is 0 - 47 .  You are still within normal range.

[copyman]

i would not consider the ALT going from 23 to 38 a drastic "jump". many things can cause this slight increase. i would only be concerned if it was 60+ this soon after finishing tx. best of luck

[alijee]

hi kristina. where were you so long?. i m taking B-12 since December 18.2008.

TSH        2.85.      

i dont remember T3 and T4 values. But all the figures are normal.
im taking only B-12 not taking comples

[Kristina538]

One week after the meds.... I would expect the meds are still heavily in your system.   My specialist told me my ALT may be high because of thyroid.  It was 45/46 throughout tx and still the same up to 4 weeks after tx.   It dropped down at 8 weeks post.    Did they retest your thyroid as well?   Try not to panic yet.  How long have you been taking that much B12?   I know it's water-soluable; but the most I've taken daily is 100mcg - naturopath told me that high potency Bcomplex was only toxic if it was taken long term, although if you've got liver problems watch the high doses of niacin.    Think positive and take good care of yourself;  your body is going through heaps at the moment.....

[HCA]

Relapse is generally prefaced by a rise in ALT/AST so it's not a particularly pleasant sign.
It may however be nothing-only a PCR test will tell.
Your genotype,length of treatment and stage you became UND are equally predictive.
Good luck!