Mild elevations in AST, Albumin, GGT

[sam_40]

Had a physcial, and LFT results were slightly off:

AST 41 (range 3-35 u/l)
Albumin 5.3 (range 3.7 - 5.1 u/l)
GGT 67 (range 3-60 u/l)
Iron 176 (range 35-175 u/l)

ALT was normal at 38 (range 3-40 u/l)

Doc immediately suggested HCV. I know so little about it, and my head is reeling. She suggested we wait a few months and retest. If same results, she'll run Hep tests. I'm not in risk category (no transfusions, etc.). Boyfriend and I have been monogomous for over a year -- he's concerned (I think for himself) and wants me to screen for HCV sooner than later. Oh, did I mention, we're going away for 3 months -- so if it's +, I can't re-test or puruse treatment until Aug.

I hadn't fasted before the bloodwork and don't know if that would affect the results. Am a chain-chewer of Nicorette (go thru ~25 pieces a day). Not a drinker. Hypothryoid and on levothyroxine.

Anyone with similar results or background? Thoughts around testing now or later?

[FlGuy]

Go take off for the three months and leave thought of possible hcv behind.  You can test further upon return. The AST/ALT aren't that far out of whack, yet should be investigated at some point. If the concern is sexual transmission of hcv, it a low risk, low probability.  If you have hcv it's a slow moving disease and many here, including myself, have had it more tha 30 years and still talking about it.  If you have a need to know sooner the tests to determine hcv are easy (blood draw) and fairly quick (about a week's processing) and require only your doc's perscription which can be taken to a nearby lab outlet - like Qwest Diagnostics.  Where are you going?

[doglover28]

Sam,
You are probably fine, but instead of running the liver panel tests a second time, I would request the HCV antibody test.  I was just diagnosed, but I had risk factors from 25 years ago. I went for a routine physical, and my ALT was 48.  Everything else was fine.  When the doc ran the Hep-C antibody test, he did the liver panel test over, and my ALT was normal 24.  
Try not to worry.  YOu are probably fine if you don't have any risk factors. good luck

[doglover28]

Sam,
something that I forgot to add was when my doc did additional liver test, he checked for hemochromtosis.  I have a few friends that have it.  It has to do with the liver not processesing iron or something like that.  It can be treated. I was told it is prevelent in people with Irish heritage. Less common in pre menopouse women.
Pam

[LvdByGod]

hi and welcome here. there should be no real reason for that dr to wait on the hep c test if  he thinks that could be the problem... and fasting would not have mattered on those particular tests. but he is probably just wanting to varify that the bloods are truly out of wack and not just a fluke or something temparary... but, don't let him make you wait very long in case it is something serious that needs attention right away.  

high albumin and iron can mean some liver damage has occured. the key is to figure out what is causing your liver to be having problems... so you really should get that hepc test done and perhaps some other tests to get to the bottom of it... and eventually a biopsy which is the only real way to find out the true condition of your liver. (don't worry about that most of us here have had it and it's not that big of a deal)...

high iron and abnormal liver tests can also mean hemochromatosis. in fact there are several different things that can cause these numbers to be abnormal, not just hep c.

if it is hep c the only way it can be transfered is through the blood. so it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. it has to be blood to blood. my husband and i use condoms just in case though...but, my blood would have to get inside his blood stream...and that would be hard to do with normal sex if neither of us are bleeding etc... but, condoms do make us feel better as a saftey precaution.

so the big thing for you is to keep at the dr so he will not let this go for too long. the liver can endure alot so i don't think a couple weeks would matter much. but you do need to find out the cause of this as soon as you can so you can stop whatever is damaging your liver...if these tests are in fact high you will want to get refered to a liver specialist...perferably a hepatologist, although a gastrointerologist may be able to help too...

stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

sandi

[sam_40]

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I decided to have the blood test tomorrow morning (want to fast -- although she said it doesn't matter ... everything I read says fast, so I will). I asked her why she suggested we wait -- said it was because it was my AST not ALT that was elevated. She said it's a chance that I had a virus last month and the readings were out of whack. We'll see. Thanks for the tip on hemochromotosis -- I'll mention it tomorrow. I'm already in menopause (and only 40!!). As far as the trip, am going cross country to Alaska via the US Coastline. Hope to have positive news from the doc early next week. Thanks again for your insights!!!

[LvdByGod]

just relooking at your tests... they really arn't that bad. so the dr probably does just want to see a pattern here... high GGT can happen if you had something alcoholic the night before or some tylanol and the iron is not that high at all...sooo take a deep breath and just follow up on it...

[Dale_Ray]

Andy  Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:  

I  don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except  numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory  are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black  Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things  like the UnitedCaucasianCollege Fund, Cloud Magazine, White  Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what  happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.  

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing  makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car,  but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.  

I  believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, that is why there  are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING  MARTHA BURKE?

I  think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is  an opinion.

I  have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are  different, weird, or tick me off.

When  70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the  population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of  Probability.

I  believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a  newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of  fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak  English!

My  father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries  you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.  

I think the police should have every right to  shoot your sorry self if you threaten them after they tell you to stop.  If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the  above lines.

I  don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are  qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans  or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket  store, or any other business.

We  did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in  wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come  over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to  their interpretations.

I  don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.  

I  know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That  doesn't stop you from watching them.

I  think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and  continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next  operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.  

It  doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a  parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when  necessary, and say "NO!"

I  think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't  pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until  that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected  mouth as you serve me French fries!

I  am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and  not a single one of them was born in Africa;  so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa  is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American  because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from  Europe.  I am proud to be from America  and nowhere else

And  if you don't like my point of view, tough...

[LvdByGod]

oops!!! wrong forum!!! LOL

[doglover28]

Sam,

Your trip sounds exciting!!  Have a great time. Please keep us posted.  By the way, my husband had a virus prior to a physcial once, and his test results were out of wack.  Try not to worry and have fun on your trip.

Pam

[sunspot]

I knew that was you without seeing your posted name. Thumbs up.

[Dale_Ray]

I know Ina. Sometimes I just get off of the crazy farm. Kalio told me that Snowav relapsed and I think it threw me into my not right place. I don't mean it as disrespect for the forum or forum members or what they are saying. Dale

[Dale_Ray]

I'm getting predictable, well that's okay among friends. Dale

[jmjm530]

It's statitically unlikely you have Hep C given those lab results. Your doctor is correct not to test for Hep C now but I question why they scared you by mentioning it. If it really starts to bother you, then demand to be tested now although I doubt you have it.

[Rogirl]

Glad to hear you are getting another test--I know I wouldn't want to wait three months--wouldn't be able to turn my mind off during that time so I would worry.
I hope all goes well for you.
Enjoy your trip--it sounds wonderful.

Rose

[Dale_Ray]

This is political science 101 isn't it? I have such a cloud today I really have no idea why I put that in. It was that or talk about my whites being down along with platelets and feeling pretty rung out. I chose Andy Rooney instead. I'm sick of me and my problems. Hope you're feeling well. Dale

[Dale_Ray]

Never was but one pure blood that walked this ole earth. Irish / Mexican what a hot headed / hot blooded combination. Mexican is primarily North American Indian.

I don't see what the problem is with re-writing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish. Heck it starts our "Jose can you see.................."

I haven't smoked in quiet a while but today I could suck the bottom out of a pack of Salems.

I guess I should start waving a Scottish flag and wearing the clans colors on my kilt but that would be offensive due to my now hairless legs:) Dale

Are we going to stay out of trouble today? Nah!

[jmjm530]

Dale Limbaugh says: As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!
--------------------------------------------------
My understanding is that the only indigenous langauge to American are the Native American Indian dialects. How many of our own relatives came here not speaking English?

Sorry you're having a bad day. So how are your whites platelets?

-- Jim

[Dale_Ray]

Gunga ga lunga kemo saby.

Jim most of my relatives have been here since the late 1700's and still can't speak good English. I just figure its time for me to start learning Spanish just in case. Ola and Adios amigo!

Ps: I'm still hold my counts but low. I have had this silly fever for five days now. Wife has an intestinal virus she got from our grandson and he is stil sick. Daughter has had it. Here is a laugh. This week I am the healthy one in the family. I have to help them for a change. :)

[jmjm530]

btw I hope you don't take offense at my reply.  One of my best friends emails me lists like that all the time since I know him well enough, I REALLY let him have it :)

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Seems like everyone has gotten that intestinal virus thing. Maybe those on the tx drugs are immune. I also got it for a few days but that was after I stopped treating. So what's with the fever? It should be reported to your doctor if you haven't already.

My language peeve has nothing to do with citizenship. But it seems like every time I call for customer service or technical support I get someone in India I can't communicate with.

[mikesimon]

I just have trouble believing that a mild elevation in AST, Albumin & GGT would have such a pronounced effect on Dale. Those elevations can be hazardous in more ways than the ones I am familiar with. Mike

[cuteus]

Interesting how in Europe a large majority of residents learn more than one language, usually the ones of the neighboring countries, but US residents expect the whole world to know English, even when they are in THEIR country.  We don't have to be arrogant and ethnoccentric all the time, do we? It hinders our educational and cultural enrichment.

I hate that policy is made per won lawsuits, and not per common sense. If you are in a fricking wheelchair, why do you want to join the mainstream track team, or work in the upper floors of the World Trade Center towers? It is not discrimination, it is a safety hazard issue. It is not a civil right, it is common sense, they have no way to rescue you.

[sunspot]

Got a good joke for you. Send me your addy to sunspot9 using bellsouth dot net.

[cuteus]

from time to time, we have discussed organ/tissue donation and the consensus seems to be that HCV+ can share with other HCV+ but not others. If I was faced with the situation where my child had, leukemia for example, needed a marrow donor to survive but the only match available is HCV+ or had tx and is SVR, should it be left to the patient to decide or does the registry/dr have the last say?
I am debating whether to withdraw my name from the Registry I joined before hcv Dx. I recently got a card with my registry number on it, asking to update info that has changed since signing up.
It is so hard to find a match so many times, and if my blood matches someone, I keep thinking they should decide if they want to take a risk or die waiting for another match.
what would some of you do?