Hepatitis c and High Gamma Glutamyltransferase...

[joan301]

I am a 38 yr old Female who has been diagnose with hepatitis c five yrs ago,it was not to the extend where I need to start treatment, however recently completed blood work for insurance purpose and it came back that  My AST was high 42 u/l and my Gamma Glutamyltransferase was also high 107 u/l. Does this mean that My liver has gone extremely Bad,I no longer have medical insurance and was rejected due to these blood results,I must also add that when I was diagnosed with Hep C I followed up and had a liver Biopsy done as well and it was ok,I believe it was just a damaged liver cell.

[joan301]

Thank you Guys for responding. Hector My Biospy said Mild peri portal fibrosis so I guess stage one. My Gi said I did not need treatment at the time. Coming on to this site I have learned so much,When I was diagnosed I though my world was coming to a end. Could not figured out how I got it,From reading different post on the site I see that many felt they contracted the Hcv through a shot called Rogan,I have had this shot on a few Occasion due to being rh negative. Again thank You Guys for responding,not having insurance really *****,I am not sure where I stand and if I am in need of treatment at this time My ast was also a little elevated was at 42 u/l while normal range is between 9-36 u/l. My alt was normal.

[HectorSF]

Hi Joan.

No these results don't indicate extensive liver damage.
AST and GGT are usually "high" in persons with hepatitis C.

You say you had a liver biopsy done. If it was in the last few years it is an indicator of any liver damage you have. By the way, there is no such result as "ok".
Fibrosis:
Stage 1 none or mild peri-portal fibrosis
Stage 2 peri-portal fibrosis with/without extension and portal-portal bridging
Stage 3 portal-central bridges but no nodular formation
Stage 4 probable or definite cirrhosis

Your entire liver is damaged not one cell.

"I no longer have medical insurance and was rejected due to these blood results." This bad as it is very costly to pay for treatment. There are ways around it like volunteering for a clinic trial, getting meds for free, but you will still need labs and doctors visits you will need to pay for somehow.
Unfortunately you should have paid for COBRA While you had your former insurance until you received new health insurance as some insurance companies consider chronic hepatitis a pre-existing condition.

To learn more about hep C and liver disease following this link
http://www.medicinenet.com/hepatitis_c/article.htm

Good luck to you.
Hector

[willbb]

"and for the most  in many it  years "        meant           "   and for the most part it takes many years"

[willbb]

Hi there...The GGT test is just another enzyme test that really in itself does not say what exactly is going on. GGT can be elevated along with ALT and AST levels..with HCV however these tests themselves don"t have much clinical value other than to tell a doc something is going on with the liver and to check further.

Since you have already been diagnosed with HCV..it is the biopsy that ascertains the amount of liver damage(fibrosis) you have.  The scale of damage goes from stage  0 to 4   and for the most  in many it  years if not decades to progress..

You should be under the care of a hepatologist or a G.I. to discuss the result of your biopsy and any further treatment plans if warranted..

good luck and welcome...

Will