ALT LEVELS

[Dorothy62466]

In Septmeber 2000, my ALT level was 76 (normal scale 30-65).
Currently it is 88. My physician just said come back and get it checked in a year. Is there no need to worry here? He doesn't want to do addittional testing or anything. I guess I am concerned.

Thanks

[new-sojourn]

If your alts are consistantly up and you've had any blood products exposure and you're blood type is neg, esp O neg, get a hep screen.  I ask my friends those 3 q's when they question me about hep c.  I'm now nagging my mother's caregiver and my dogs caregiver to get tested.  If they are pos, that will be 4 I've dx so far-all middle age women in their 40's and 50's.  If you answer yes to the 3 q's I posted, pls. get tested.

[Indiana]

The answer is....."Maybe"...nobody really knows. But I can tell you a story about ME. I WAS a type 1b. I had a horrible time on tx. I did the Peg/Intron back in the early days. It is not really as effective as the Pegasys for type 1's based on the current stats. Pegasys was not approved back then.
I had some tooth problems and was given 2 rounds of Pennicillan about 2/3 of the way through my tx. It killed my white counts and neutrophyls. My Peg was cut for 3 weeks. I forced a CBC test then and was allowed back on full dose.
I did an extra 2 weeks just to be safe. I cleared just fine. Short and limited dose reductions are not all that uncommon. Sure, they are not really always the best way to raise the counts, but I still cleared....and so have many others.

[karley]

I hope you guys see this, since I'm a day late getting back...but that's the best advice I've heard (on the question of remission odds)...don't worry too much cause odds are different for everybody. I'm geno1, having 48 wk tx, 180 mg pegylated INF with 600 mg daily of riba (I'm a shrimp, 108 lbs, and doc said 600 was enough??). Tx was interrupted 4-5 consecutive wks and also lowered 4 to 5 more nonconsecutive wks, due to severe WBC and anemia. I just wonder if that hurts my odds.

[harley dude]

Hey Chev, I must have been writing Cindee a comment while you were writing me one-din't see yours a few minutes ago- I'm doing Fine- energy is comming back strong- That was my main concern- It's a little early for you, but you'll start to feel better soon- Thank's for the sweet comments- you are truly an inspiration to everyone on this board- See Ya- Harley Dude x

[harley dude]

Hey Ya'll- Hope everyone has been doing OK - stupid PC had to go back to the shop "AGAIN"- finally got it back up tonight (or early morning)- sorry I missed your big day Chev- You really must be RELIEVED- hip hip horay - hip hip horay- and a big congratulations, I scrolled down a good ways and didn't see much mention of it- that's something you need to POST in big bold "CAPS"- I saw in one of the posts you mentioned your 11 year old cat- I have a cat that's 11 years old also- I tried going to hot heps, but can't seem to find it- tell me how to get there please- I've been feeling pretty good since I've finished tx- I'm still weanning myself off of the paxil (that was the hardest one to stop), energy level has gone up alot & still rising, well it's going on 2 am - I'm going to hit the hay- see ya'll-- Harley Dude

[harley dude]

Hey Cindee, You definitely have the BEST attitude towards this, you must be one heck of a Gal- Good Luck and keep up that GREAT attitude and everything will be just fine. See Ya-- Harley Dude ps - thank's for the post

[cindee]

Hey and welcome back! You've been missed!!!!!! Glad to hear you're getting back to normal....what is "normal" anyways???? Guess you've heard I relapsed, but have found a wonderful hepatologist who will start me on a clinical trial around October. I was an EVR and undectable thoughout 48wk, but then BAM!!!! Relapsed! Oh well, life goes on and maybe we can figure out some of these odd things going on with Hep C. Even if I don't clear this time around...I will not give up! I feel like I will be helping others too with this awful virus!!!!!! So GLAD YOU ARE BACK!!!!! I wish your continued good health for many, many years to come! Much love @ many prayers, Cindee

[cuteus]

funny how all these questions don't come to mind until much later when we think further about the info.
Does your dr run studies/trials at his practice? You are probably right and he is part of one, can't see too many insurance companies paying for this new test. when is your last riba pill?

[layla]

I just overheard my new internal med doc telling his intern that any levels above normal should be tested. Mine were not that high when I was dx but I had my labs from a physical a year earlier pulled (out of my own personal curiosity) and my ALT/AST were high then also but because they were so very low (lower than yours) no one bothered to check anything. Personally if I thought I had HCV I would ask for the test. LL

[Indiana]

Well.that kinda depends. What type are you....and the load #'s. What are your other stats.(send me pics and I'll guess your weight)  hahahahaha
Still....the main thing is genotype here. There is a 15-20% relapse rate, but that stat can be misleading. That stat starts out with folks who are currently on their tx and is very generic in that it does not figure in the EVR folks or anything else either.
I personally know several folks who had to stop early and still are clear. The odds are out the window for you already since you had to quit early. But the fact you were still clear after weeks off the meds is the most positive sign you have.
SCREW THE "ODDS"!!! Think positive!!! You are gonna make it!!
When is your next test? That will lower those "odds" even further. Remain clear at 6 months and you can start to dare to breathe again. After 1 year and you are pretty well cured.
Good Luck.............

[cuteus]

Indy is so right in his opinion, and I agree with him almost 100%, but he is one lucky sob(nice way) that he cleared after 52 wks in tx, first try.
50% is a good chance, but not good enough for me. I did not clear at wk 12 either, geno 1a, cleared by wk 26, could be earllier but  lab screwed my sample, I convinced my dr to extend to 72 wks since the meds don't seem to be doing major damage to  me. I might stop bt wk 66 or 72, don't know yet. New studies show an advantage to tx extension for those slow in clearing.
I empathize with your fears 100%, 48wks is a standard  due to the meds toxicity not its effectiveness in achieving complete svr, for me I have to give it 150% the first time. I don't look forward to a relapse and retreating.  Just a consideration for you and your dr.  check the teravic-4 study and the Berg ( i think) tnguy has those handy I hope he links you to it.

[cuteus]

you stopped the riba on the last shot day? I also get confused at the various  opinions on this protocol.
I have to laugh as I've had the reverse in my last 3-4 months. mild IBS getting more frequent lately, GERD, hip pain;
the way I see it, if I still have this post tx and I am svr, i am still way ahead.

[karley]

Please forgive me for intruding...can I ask a question about chances of remission? I just had next to last INF shot...yes!! I am excited!! just too exhausted and in a fog for it to sink in! Does anyone know the percentage chances of staying in remission? I heard it was 55 percent. I hope that's not right!

I was "no detectable" at 12 wks, but doc took me off meds from about wks 30 to 34 and the good news was still no detectable at 36 wks. If my final check is OK, does anyone know the odds of staying that way?

[Amerabrit]

I saw my Dr. just this past Tuesday and he told me that he doesn't get concerned unless Enzyme levels go higher than 40?  He also said the levels fluctuate so not to be too concerned;  perhaps you could have your levels checked again just stay on top of things?
good luck..

[hph5477]

Dorothy - I thought most drs would automatic run a couple tests (ie. HCV, etc) when the LFT's come back elevated.  My old dr just watched mine but that was before much was known about HCV and treatment.  My new dr automatically ran extra tests and referred me to a GI.
   You might want to get second opinion just so you have peace of mind about your own health conditions.

Philaguy - My chart from my dr shows that he doesn't get too concerned with low platelets til they drop to 50.  You are almost there but still not in a danger zone.  Suggest being careful not to cut yourself.  Good luck.

[PhilaGuy]

Hi Dorothy.  I certainly wouldn't panic, but I would get some tests.  It seems odd to me that your physician wouldn't want to get to the bottom of your elevated enzymes.  It may be nothing, but *I* would want to know!

This is a question for everyone else.  I got some blood work back today - my nurse wanted to check my blood counts because my WBC was dropping.  It's back up, but looking at the report now, I see that my platelets are 88 (140-415 are normal range).  She didn't say anything about this - what does it mean?  Thanks!