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AST and ALT level in Hep C, low AST?

I was wondering how does that AST and ALT ratio works in people who have Hep C?
My test result, my ALT level is in normal range, but my AST level is low.
From what I heard, the ALT is measure the enzyme in the liver,
and the AST is enzyme also in the liver but also in the muscle too.
It said that women AST tends to be lower than men, due to they have lesser muscle mass.

My ALT is 18 and my AST is 17
ALT is higher than AST, does that means I have Hep C? Yikes!

I do not smoke, do not drink, but I do have blood transfusion back in my homeland (a third world country)
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Avatar universal
I have not check yet about clinic free testing for Hep, I need to go search that up now.
I always go to my primary care doctor,
I need to tell him about my blood transfusion 20 years ago.

I heard that Hep C can stay in your body for 20 years without showing any symptoms right sir? If so, then this Hep C is truely the silent killer for the liver.

I do not drink, have not have sex. Therefore if I have Hep C, it MUST be from that blood transfusion 20 years ago.
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Avatar universal
I live in a Buffalo, NY suburb. There is a (HIV, STD, Hepatitis) testing facility about 7 miles from me offering free testing no appointment needed 5 days a week.  Have you checked in your area?
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Avatar universal
Thank your sire JimmyMose,

Due to my AST and ALT range, doctor didn't think there a reason to order me a Hep C test.  
I did not tell him about my blood transfusion 20 years ago back in my homeland.
I was 10 year olds when I have that blood transfusion. Now I am 30, so 20 years have passed, and my health is pretty good. I don't ever get sick, except a cold, sneezing and toothache.

I think is time for me to bring up my 20 years ago blood transfusion to my primary care doctor, so he can order me a Hep C test.
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Avatar universal
Thank you sir for your advice, thank you, thank you.

I am sure I do not have anxiety. I have many blood transfusion due to a major surgery I had before in my native country, which is a third world country.
Third world country healthcare are not good like in the U.S, and they probably don't scan blood anyways, who knows what can be in those blood.

I will try to get tested. It just the blood test show my AST and ALT at 17 and 18, the primary care doctor didn't think I have liver failure therefore he didn't order me any Hep C test.

Next time I see him, I will specific request a Hep C test.
I don't think I can just walk in a lab, and say I want a Hep C test, they must have lab order from physician.
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Avatar universal
I have noticed that you have posted similar questions in multiple forums and that some of your questions or comments have been deleted by MH.

You are not alone being in situations where you think potential HIV,HCV or other diseases exposure can be scary.  Sometimes this fear can become irrational and cause other medical problems not related to those.

Did a quick search hepatitis in the Anxiety Community.  You could browse the relevant questions to see how others are dealing with this.  Then either commenting or asking a new relevant question there.  

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/71?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=hepatitis

One way to ease your concern about past exposure is just to get tested for HIV,HBV,HCV and other stds.  Many local governmental medical departments or other non profits offer free or low cost testing.
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Avatar universal
Normal or elevated ALT & AST levels DO NOT confirm nor rule out HCV  

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_low_AST_indicate?#slide=16
AST is 17 appears normal for a women. High doses of  Vitamin C can cause a low reading. about the only negative about a low AST that that poster found was cyanide poisoning but you would have other symptoms too  

http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_blood_tests/page3.htm
AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) are reasonably sensitive indicators of liver damage or injury from different types of diseases or conditions. However, it must be emphasized that higher-than-normal levels of these liver enzymes should not be automatically equated with liver disease. They may mean liver problems or they may not. For example, elevations of these enzymes can occur with muscle damage. The interpretation of elevated AST and ALT results depends upon the entire clinical evaluation of an individual, and so it is best done by physicians experienced in evaluating liver disease and muscle disease.
Do AST and ALT test results indicate liver function?
It is important to clarify that ALT and AST levels do not reflect the function of the liver, even though in the medical community and in medical publications they commonly, and incorrectly, are referred to as liver function tests, or AST or ALT tests and are only used to detect inflammation due to injury or damage to the liver from any source. Even in conditions when AST and ALT are very elevated, the liver still may function properly.

(blood transfusion back in my homeland (a third world country) if it was before that country began screening blood transfusions for HCV then you should get a HCV screening antibody test. If not sure or for peace of mind get it anyway.

The HCV screening antibody test is the inexpensive test to see if you have been exposed to the HCV.  A more expensive test a PCR test will confirm currently active HCV. It used if antibody test is positive or undetermined or if recent high risk exposure or acute symptoms are manifested.
  
http://www.hepmag.com/articles/2512_18753.shtml
Diagnosing hepatitis C begins with an antibody test. Antibodies to HCV can be detected in the blood, usually within two or three months after the virus enters the body. If a person is positive for HCV antibodies, he or she has been exposed to the virus in the past. As discussed above, however, about 15 to 25 percent of people who are initially infected with the virus are able to clear the virus from their bodies, usually within six months of exposure. The next step is to look for the actual virus in the bloodstream, using a test called PCR. If a person was infected with HCV very recently, called acute infection, he or she may not yet have antibodies, in which case a PCR test is necessary to confirm infection.

Hepatitis C: The Basics
http://www.hepmag.com/articles/2512_18753.shtml
How is it diagnosed, and what tests are used?
...AST levels are often elevated in people with chronic hepatitis C. However, AST levels are usually lower than ALT levels. If cirrhosis occurs, AST levels can increase higher than ALT levels—a sign that damage to the liver is worsening.
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