what causes my AST and ALT to vary

[ethridge]

My AST  was 113 u/l  ALT 113 u/l in may.  Another lab was done in July AST 36 u/l ALT 21 u/l.  What causes such  big difference.  All my other labs are normal except Cholesterol 201, HDL 115.  I am 5' 5" tall and weigh 113 lbs.  My health is very good. I exercise an hour daily, sometimes walking 3 mile or use exercise equip. at gym.  What can I do to maintain normal AST and ALT?

[mikesimon]

You said:
"The Hep C virus can lay dormant in your body for 30-40 years then rear its ugly head."

That is incorrect. Hepatitis C is never dormant. It is either there or it isn't there. People think it is dormant because they are unaware that they are infected but Hep C is always active. People react differently to infection however and some incur significant liver damage while others do not. This depends on host characteristics and lifestyle and not upon any dormancy of the virus. It generally takes years before significant damage is done and that is why "it rears its ugly head".

I do agree that a blood draw will reveal whether there is a viral infection.

Ethridge,

There are many possible causes of elevated liver enzymes.
Medications, recreational drugs, alcohol, exercise and illness can cause an elevation in liver enzymes. Your ALT is back to within normal range - your AST may be just slightly out of range depending on your laboratory - so it appears that whatever caused your elevation may have resolved. If I were you I would feel relieved that your enzymes are not persistently elevated because that might suggest ongoing inflammation and cell death.
I think you should ask your doctor about testing for viral infection (Hep A,B,C) just to rule that out and retesting your liver enzymes in a month or so and see if they have stabilized or hopefully improved.

Good luck,
Mike

[Dot.Calm]

Strange results. Lab results vary by lab as not all use the same test equipment. First thing first, were you fasting 8-10 hrs prior to the lab? Did you consume any alcoholic beverages 72 hrs prior? If not your results will be skewered. Also, do not exercise prior to a lab. Try to do labs first thing in the morning so fasting is not so hard, just eat breakfast after. Lastly, have you been tested for Hepatitis A, B or C? If not you should. The Hep C virus can lay dormant in your body for 30-40 years then rear its ugly head. A simple blood draw will clear any doubt.