just curious about fluctuating liver enzymes when on treatment

[wtgb]

I just received my 36 week results.  I am still undetected, but noticed that my liver enzymes (AST, AGT) have been fluctuating, but still remain in normal level by just 1 point.  Does anyone know what the pattern should be with liver enzymes while on treatment?  I am a little concerned because I just assumed they would continually go down.

Thanks for any input.

[wtgb]

thanks everyone for your feedback.  I really appreciate it!

[RobertBeWell]

At one time, before the viral load tests were commonplace or were cost prohibitive, it was my understanding that they used ALT as a rough measure of whether the treatment was "working".  My treatment nurse did confirm this, although she stressed that it always had been viewed with a grain of salt.

Obviously, in light of practical experience we've now had over the years with treatment, liver enzymes can and do move all over the place. The only thing that really counts in the end is the viral load.

I can't deny it is comforting to see the enzymes drop into the normal range for the first time in years. Gives you a mental boost. At least it did for me.

Also, it's important to note that "liver enzymes", AST in particular, are made in MANY more places in the body than just the liver. In my particular case, a strenuous gym workout that left me almost unable to walk for a few days raised my "liver enzymes" to about 7 times the upper limit of normal. It was actually this incident that led to my diagnosis. Doc was understandably alarmed, so we watched the levels for a month. They came back close to normal when the muscle pain went away, but not quite to normal. Thus, he looked further and confirmed my HCV diagnosis.

So, there's some practical evidence for you not to read too much into enzyme levels. You are UND! Congratulations!

[Kristina538]

Mine went fluctuated through tx - way back down to normal at first then kept  rising until it concerned me to.  The specialist told me not to worry about it - could be imflammation or thyroid problems.  The came progressively right down after tx, coinciding with the SVR.

[Bali05]

INF can be irritating to your liver.

[willbb]

" I am still undetected "    THats the important part and congrats on that bye the way.
Liver enz. always fluctuate with or without having Hepc,  Nothing at all to worry about especially by 1 point. That means absolutely nothing!

[Andiamo1]

Liver enzymes always fluctuate even with people that don't have any liver disease.