ALT Question...

[madbrad]

I just got some lab results back and Im'm not sure if its a good thing or not....My ALT says 35...Range is 0-40...Is this good or not ?
  I was under the assumption that having enzymes "wasn't" good.

I do have good news about my VL....NO HCV RNA DETECTED....HOOOORAY!

[Myown]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well.

I have read on forum that some peoples enzymes do fluctuate at times on tx. I just called my husband over to the computer cuz I just realized I added a few years onto his age.He said "what!!" LOL I'm terrible at ages and birthdays, Hes so good at remembering and I'm not.

But anyhow I guess your a geno 1 because of the length of time on tx. maybe someone that can discuss your numbers with you will come along. The VL at at 8 months is what I am wondering about, but I am not qualified to answer.

Take care, hope you feel better soon.

[Myown]

First of all congrats on being UND! You are still in the normal range, but from what I understand enzymes in the teens or even low 20's are best.

But I have the same thing going on. I am Und and yet my enzymes have gone up a bit. My NP said between the white cells going down and the enzymes a little raised I may have had a virus brewing at the time of the lab. But a friend of mine called last night (hepatologist) and he said "no I'm fine that the enzymes sometimes do that on tx and that the white cell count will go down due to the meds and to just keep and eye on them.

[NYgirl]

GREAT NEWS!

Now...on to the nexy set of abbreviations SVR!

[madbrad]

Thanks......All my labs has come back with great news....wbc,rbc's,ne#.hct..everything is on the increase platelets increased from 155 to 172.....Hmg has been hovering around 12.5.for me  thats good,since its been around 10.0 - 11.3......But now it's 13.3....Woooohoooo...lol..My neut's were 1.5 and are now 2.05

What I would like to know is how to lower my enzymes....IE; By diet??

[Jakied]

Everyone, regardless of whether they have Hcv or not, loses liver cells every day.  The danger, of course, occurs when your alt is in the hundreds or even thousands, which means you are losing many more liver cells than can be replaced by your liver.  Alt level measures the number of cells in your blood.  A level of 35 is great.  As you get older, your alt will increase.  men have a higher normal level of alt than women.  0 to 50 vs 0 to 35 or so.

[madbrad]

Thank you...........I appreciate everyone's help..

[Myown]

There was a thread recently with a video of a Dr. discussing hep C. He mentioned that enzymes in the 30's are not an optimal range and that 20's or lower should be the normal.

Sometimes the reference range of different tests gets 'adjusted' as years go by. I believe what the Dr. said about the range, but it may take time before our lab req forms reflect lower numbers.

I can remember when cholesterol of 300 was considered fine. The reference range was changed after many people who had cholesterol in this range developed heart related problems. Then the range was lowered.Homocystein (sp?)reference range has also been lowered and also CRP over the years.

My mother is in her late 70's and her liver enzymes are in the teens. My husband is 57 years old and his are in his teens also.

Take care.

[ohio nurse]

     I am now 8 months into treatment and my ALT has gone from 90 to 180 and AST from 62 to142   but my viral load went from 5 mil+ to 12,500 so does anyone know what this means. My dr just says all my labs WBC 1.3  platelets 97 and a bunch of other small irregularities. Is this doc not telling me something???

[ohio nurse]

  OOPs the dr said all be go back to normal after treatment and hes talking 52 weeks instead of 48.It is getting harder to keep this up as it is. I finally got so weak tired and short of breath that I stopped working til this is done

[GoofyDad]

I'm with myown - can you please fill us in more on the viral load? A viral load of 12,500 at 8 mos seems a bit odd to say the least. Double check when you were tested and the results. If you post the results in a new thread you'll get lot's of input, I'm sure.

[shastri20032003]

CONGRATS! HOPE YOU ACHIEVE SVR NOW!
REGARDS

[ladybug52]

What a blast from the past! I wondered what happened to you. I wondered if you were still able to work, and you just answered that question. Your husband is a nurse also, right? Sorry the sides are so bad. And I don't understand the viral load either. Do you know what test they used?
The reason I remember you is because I am in healthcare also, and you posted when you were getting ready to tx.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Bug