Is this possible?

[bbuster]

I'm hoping someone might be able to respond....
I have blood taken every 6 months for a-fib. For 12 draws ( since January 2003), my ast and alt were ALWAYS well within the normal range. I recently had an ast of 74 - not sure of the alt - think it was normal..... I NEVER drink, but the weeks prior to the test had 10 day course of augmentin, some nyquil, dayquil, about 10 Tylenol pm over the course of 2 weeks, and did quite a bit of senekot, which contains senna ( I know, STUPID) .... I was also on zocar in addition to sotalol and digoxin. I had also been eating a LOT of red meat.
Is it possible that I could have had hep C since 1975 with no indication at all? In other words, almost 35 years? Could those 5 years of normal ast/alt readings have happened with hep C.... I understand they fluctuate, and mine were always normal. No other symptoms, always healthy........ thanks... I have to go back in June for another blood draw....

[jdwithhcv]

bx = biopsy

[bbuster]

whhat is bx?

[Haji4]

Yes it is possible I just wne to a heptologist and he said no treat ment for me. I have a vl of 15,300,000 and so long as my bx is ok he said it would be best not to treat. I have had normal ALT's and AST's and all of my other bloodwork has been fine. I have had HCV for 25 years. I pry that I am praying for another 35 years. I have some other joint and pain issues but they are now saying it may not be related to having Hep. C so I am learning that bx is the way to go .

[bbuster]

In 1975 I allowed used IV drugs one time and only one time. there are no other exposures. I am terrified this could be the case....

[IAmTheWalrus]

Absolutely you can have hep c for years with no abnormal liver test results! I was diagnosed 35 years after I contracted the disease (based on known risk factors). My liver enzymes were still in the normal range. The only sure test to rule out the Hep C virus is to have an antibody test done. If that comes back positive then a viral load test is required to see if the virus is active. If it is not active, then you have been exposed but have do not have the chronic disease.

Many drugs, including some antobiotics, will cause elevation in the liver enzymes.

[choprchk]

My VL is almost 3million, not too high in comparison to some ppl, and my ALT/AST are frequently in the normal range.  I am assuming I became infected in 1974 via a transfusion but I also had my ears pierced in 1980.  So in answer to your question , I'd say yes, it is very possible.  Better add another test to your bi-annual lab tests so you'll know for sure.    

[jdwithhcv]

I can't tell from your question if you have ever been given a diagnosis of Hep C, but yes, you can have Hep C for decades without any indication.  I had Hep C for many years without having any symptoms.  Based on the possible risks I can identify, I was probably exposed in 1979 or thereabouts, and was not diagnosed until 2007.

ALT and AST can fluctuate a lot, and the meds you were taking before the bloodwork could have affected those levels.  If you post again with info about why you think it may be Hep C that will help people answer your question.

jd