Aa
at least 35 yrs since possible exposure?
Hi
I was just told that I need to be tested for Hep C. I do have some off "liver function" tests, but the values are just a tiny bit outside range (for example, AST of 34 with a reference range of 8 to 30, ALT of 45 with a reference range of 7 to 40, alkaline phosphatase of 151 with a RR of 50 to 136)
All along my doc has been saying it looks like fatty liver disease (I am overweight)
Anyway she tells me that new guidelines suggest all ppl in my age group get tested. (I'm 58)
The thing is, IF I was exposed to Hep C, it would have been a very long time ago! I have not used any drugs of any kind in over 35 yrs. I did inject stuff and did snort stuff a very very few times between age 18 to 20, I have had STDs (can you get Hep C that way?) No blood transfusions, worked as a nurse's aid but didn't come into contact with blood that I can recall.
long story shortened a tiny bit LOL wouldn't I have had *something* show up before now? my slightly elevated liver test values are recent, just in the last two year. An ultrasound of my liver didn't show anything to be concerned about.
Does anyone actually go this long without having some idea that they might have been infected?
I was just told that I need to be tested for Hep C. I do have some off "liver function" tests, but the values are just a tiny bit outside range (for example, AST of 34 with a reference range of 8 to 30, ALT of 45 with a reference range of 7 to 40, alkaline phosphatase of 151 with a RR of 50 to 136)
All along my doc has been saying it looks like fatty liver disease (I am overweight)
Anyway she tells me that new guidelines suggest all ppl in my age group get tested. (I'm 58)
The thing is, IF I was exposed to Hep C, it would have been a very long time ago! I have not used any drugs of any kind in over 35 yrs. I did inject stuff and did snort stuff a very very few times between age 18 to 20, I have had STDs (can you get Hep C that way?) No blood transfusions, worked as a nurse's aid but didn't come into contact with blood that I can recall.
long story shortened a tiny bit LOL wouldn't I have had *something* show up before now? my slightly elevated liver test values are recent, just in the last two year. An ultrasound of my liver didn't show anything to be concerned about.
Does anyone actually go this long without having some idea that they might have been infected?
sorry I'm late coming back- I didn't get the results til yesterday and didn't have time to get online
NO HEP C!! whew!
I am so relieved
my ALK ALT and AST are still mildly elevated (one that had gone down a bit has gone up a bit) but I'm not going to worry about it.
Someone sent me a link about one of the drugs I take (celebrex) and it turns out that can cause some liver values to go up, so I'll ask my doctor about that when I see her.
thank you all for your help and support while waiting for "the news".
Sending very best wishes to you all that you are able to be cured if you have Hep C, and that you have no long lasting ill effects from the virus.
NO HEP C!! whew!
I am so relieved
my ALK ALT and AST are still mildly elevated (one that had gone down a bit has gone up a bit) but I'm not going to worry about it.
Someone sent me a link about one of the drugs I take (celebrex) and it turns out that can cause some liver values to go up, so I'll ask my doctor about that when I see her.
thank you all for your help and support while waiting for "the news".
Sending very best wishes to you all that you are able to be cured if you have Hep C, and that you have no long lasting ill effects from the virus.
OK I went for the blood work, will get results tomorrow. I plan to go as soon as they open at 6:30 am!
You must all think I'm horribly selfish- it struck me almost like a bolt of lightening last night that IF I have hep C, I might have unknowingly infected someone else.
I've been thinking of this as only something I could have, completely ignoring what that might mean for others I come into contact with.
I also realized that there were many other ways that I could have been infected besides the couple of times (literally probably twice) that I used iv drugs- stupid things I did as a young adult.
well, I'll know tomorrow.Or rather, I'll at least know if I was exposed.
I am anxious to know if my liver tests will be normal finally. I am going to think positive and expect that all will be well and that my weight loss and change in diet has only made me healthier.
You must all think I'm horribly selfish- it struck me almost like a bolt of lightening last night that IF I have hep C, I might have unknowingly infected someone else.
I've been thinking of this as only something I could have, completely ignoring what that might mean for others I come into contact with.
I also realized that there were many other ways that I could have been infected besides the couple of times (literally probably twice) that I used iv drugs- stupid things I did as a young adult.
well, I'll know tomorrow.Or rather, I'll at least know if I was exposed.
I am anxious to know if my liver tests will be normal finally. I am going to think positive and expect that all will be well and that my weight loss and change in diet has only made me healthier.
yeh I tried a bunch of user names but they were all taken. I have pet rats that I adore and often call them silly names, so that's where I got the Rattybutt idea from. In retrospect, I wish I'd picked something a bit more dignified but what the heck.
lol
lol
It was 192,000. Doc said that was good, said they become concerned when it gets over a million. But from what I have read on this forum, it may not mean too much, as it can go up and down depending on your immune system. Also it isn't an indicator of damage so far, as just it means your liver has been successful in keeping levels down, but at what cost to the liver? I would like to think it is a good thing. It was one of my arguements for getting treatment now rather than waiting, wouldn't you think treatment would be more successful with lower numbers to start with?
Mrs. Sandi, may I ask, how was your viral load count for the Hep C when you diagnosed?
Since you live with the Hep C for over 30 years and not know, therefore the viral load mustn't be that high right?
Since you live with the Hep C for over 30 years and not know, therefore the viral load mustn't be that high right?
I have had the virus 30 years and I had no symptoms at all that was my last exposure of intravenous drug use.
hehe
Rattybutt
not your condition. your made up name
happy to hear you are getting tested
Rattybutt
not your condition. your made up name
happy to hear you are getting tested
thanks for your response.
That's awful that it took so long to get tested!
well, I hope I don't have Hep C either, but if I do, at least now I'm not as terrified or depressed about the possibility as I was before I came here.
I've lost about 15 lbs in the past year. If my "off" liver values are from fatty liver, I read that losing wt can bring them back down, so it will be interesting to see if they did come down.
I'll be back to let you know what the results are. I should have the CBC and chem the same day, I guess the hep c and my thyroid tests take a bit longer.
That's awful that it took so long to get tested!
well, I hope I don't have Hep C either, but if I do, at least now I'm not as terrified or depressed about the possibility as I was before I came here.
I've lost about 15 lbs in the past year. If my "off" liver values are from fatty liver, I read that losing wt can bring them back down, so it will be interesting to see if they did come down.
I'll be back to let you know what the results are. I should have the CBC and chem the same day, I guess the hep c and my thyroid tests take a bit longer.
I am chronic, probably because have had it so long. Ultrasound was good, virus level low, 192,000, didn't do a biopsy since treatment just came out. Genotype is odd for U.S., genotype 4. But has a high cure rate with sovaldi, 96%. My arguement was I am 63, healthy now, didn't want to wait for interferon free treatment. Who knows how long I will be healthy, felt now was the time to do it, and my doc and insurance agreed. Thank goodness my 25 year old daughter tested negative for it. Seize the bull by the horns, educated yourself as much as possible. Sovaldi website has good info. Let us know how you are doing.
The treatment for Hepatitis C took 24 weeks. There is new and better treatment that can be only 12 weeks. What treatment you may require "IF" you do have Hepatitis C - Depends on your Genotype test results and current condition of your liver.
OMG, thank you Mrs.Sandi
May I ask, were you diagnosed with acute or chronic Hep C? Since you have the virus with no symptoms for 30 years, that is considered chronic Hep C right?
My blood transfusion was at 10 years olds, now I am 30 year olds, and no symptoms. Maybe I have the virus now inside me and not know, then I will be chronic Hep C, "cries"
I need go get tested. Primary care doctor say my ASL was on the low side, so didn't give me the Hep C test, darn him.
May I ask, were you diagnosed with acute or chronic Hep C? Since you have the virus with no symptoms for 30 years, that is considered chronic Hep C right?
My blood transfusion was at 10 years olds, now I am 30 year olds, and no symptoms. Maybe I have the virus now inside me and not know, then I will be chronic Hep C, "cries"
I need go get tested. Primary care doctor say my ASL was on the low side, so didn't give me the Hep C test, darn him.
My alt was 19, and my ast was 32, when I was diagnosed with hepc, genotype 4 last September. I contracted it back in the 70s also. IV drugs with a boyfriend for a short time.... stupid. He died of hepatic cancer a few years ago, so when I was asked if I had ever been tested for hepc, I said no, but I was at risk. Everyone thought, oh you probably don't have active virus, but I do. Luckily have good insurance that is paying for sovaldi, pegasus, and ribavirin. Am on week 5 of 12, first, and hopefully the last treatment I will ever need.
You can't always tell by the blood level numbers. Good luck!
You can't always tell by the blood level numbers. Good luck!
And to Rattybutt,
Yes, you can get Hep C from STDs.
I read that Hep C only transfer through blood and body fluid like when you have sex.
Hep C is not like Hep A where you can get it from dirty food or fecal. Most people with Hep A their body overcome it, but Hep C is the silent killer of the liver, as it can take up to 30 years to show symptoms.
Please let us know about your Hep C test result.
I need to get mine test too due to my blood transfusion in a third world country. The chance of me get Hep C is way more likely than you.
Hope your test just come out Negative on Hep. Best wishes.
Yes, you can get Hep C from STDs.
I read that Hep C only transfer through blood and body fluid like when you have sex.
Hep C is not like Hep A where you can get it from dirty food or fecal. Most people with Hep A their body overcome it, but Hep C is the silent killer of the liver, as it can take up to 30 years to show symptoms.
Please let us know about your Hep C test result.
I need to get mine test too due to my blood transfusion in a third world country. The chance of me get Hep C is way more likely than you.
Hope your test just come out Negative on Hep. Best wishes.
I'm sorry Mr/Mrs Rattybutt for reply to your thread, I have a similiar question about AST and ALT.
to Mr/Mrs kirk8,
How can tell by the AST/ALT ratio possibly indicate a viral Hep infection?
I have a major surgery which I recieved tons of blood transfusion 20 years ago. This was my native country (a third world country) which get me even more worried that I might have Hep, since third world don't scan their blood.
My AST is 17, and my ALT is 18
All my blood result is normal, except the AST of 17 is on the lower side.
Does this seem like I have a Hep infection for 20 years to you kirk8?
Thanks for your reply
to Mr/Mrs kirk8,
How can tell by the AST/ALT ratio possibly indicate a viral Hep infection?
I have a major surgery which I recieved tons of blood transfusion 20 years ago. This was my native country (a third world country) which get me even more worried that I might have Hep, since third world don't scan their blood.
My AST is 17, and my ALT is 18
All my blood result is normal, except the AST of 17 is on the lower side.
Does this seem like I have a Hep infection for 20 years to you kirk8?
Thanks for your reply
wow I can hardly wait to find out- Monday can't come soon enough
how long did it take to get rid of the virus?
how long did it take to get rid of the virus?
I had AST/ALT in high normal and had Hepatitis C. I was also told I had a fatty liver before testing positive for Hepatitis C. I know longer have a fatty liver or fatigue.....and no longer have Hepatitis C.
Let us know your results.
Best to you
Let us know your results.
Best to you
thanks for your detailed response, I appreciate all the info.
when you say your liver enzymes were only slightly elevated, were they like mine, just a tiny bit outside of range?
I went back thru my records and the slightly off values began in 2011, at which time my doc said these don't look like hepatitis values. It never really crossed my mind that I could have hepatitis, so I really didn't pay close attention to the other things she said that led her to believe that hepatitis wasn't a concern.
My ALT has never gone higher than 47 and my AST has never gone higher than 34. That was Jan. of last year.
Those two numbers came down to normal last March (the last time I had blood work) but at the same time my alkaline phosphatase went back up over the normal range to 151.
In any case, all of these numbers are just a tiny bit outside normal ranges, so I pretty much figured they didn't really mean anything.
were your values as low as mine? from what I've been seeing, the values are in the thousands for ppl with hepatitis.
I'm sorry you have liver damage, but glad that the treatment worked for you. Will your liver be able to go back to normal or is that damage permanent? how does it affect your life now?
I am always tired but my doc thinks that's due to depression and/or stress. I've tried to tell her that I'm depressed *because* I'm too tired to do what I want to but she's got in set in her mind that I'm depressed and that's that.
To be honest, at this point, I don't know what to hope for- If it turns out I've got hep C but it can be treated and even cured, that actually sounds like a better outcome then being tired all the time and not knowing why.
I'm going to go get tested on Monday.
thanks again,
when you say your liver enzymes were only slightly elevated, were they like mine, just a tiny bit outside of range?
I went back thru my records and the slightly off values began in 2011, at which time my doc said these don't look like hepatitis values. It never really crossed my mind that I could have hepatitis, so I really didn't pay close attention to the other things she said that led her to believe that hepatitis wasn't a concern.
My ALT has never gone higher than 47 and my AST has never gone higher than 34. That was Jan. of last year.
Those two numbers came down to normal last March (the last time I had blood work) but at the same time my alkaline phosphatase went back up over the normal range to 151.
In any case, all of these numbers are just a tiny bit outside normal ranges, so I pretty much figured they didn't really mean anything.
were your values as low as mine? from what I've been seeing, the values are in the thousands for ppl with hepatitis.
I'm sorry you have liver damage, but glad that the treatment worked for you. Will your liver be able to go back to normal or is that damage permanent? how does it affect your life now?
I am always tired but my doc thinks that's due to depression and/or stress. I've tried to tell her that I'm depressed *because* I'm too tired to do what I want to but she's got in set in her mind that I'm depressed and that's that.
To be honest, at this point, I don't know what to hope for- If it turns out I've got hep C but it can be treated and even cured, that actually sounds like a better outcome then being tired all the time and not knowing why.
I'm going to go get tested on Monday.
thanks again,
You are correct. I guess I was just looking at the ratio without taking into consideration the fact that the numbers not very high. Thank you for the correction.
".....But the ratio of AST/ALT indicates the possibility of viral hepatitis infection....."
I would like to see some documentation for that statement.
I have never seen that conclusion based on a ALT of 45 and an AST of 34.
Please elaborate.
Mike
I would like to see some documentation for that statement.
I have never seen that conclusion based on a ALT of 45 and an AST of 34.
Please elaborate.
Mike
Welcome to the forum.
Hopefully you do not have Hepatitis C. However, you are a Baby Boomer and Baby Boomers are the group most likely to have Hepatitis C. The CDC now recommends that all Bbay Boomers be tested for Hepatitis C. In addition, you did inject drugs even though it was many years ago. Injecting drugs puts you in a high risk group. Also, about 40% of people have no idea how they contracted Hep C so, even if you had no risk factors, you could still have it.
Many people have had Hepatitis C for decades and do not know they have it. Many find out through routine testing or donating blood or through testing/treatment for another disease/condition. Often it is discovered inadvertently. And often it is discovered after people already have a lot of liver damage. I contracted Hep C in about 1974 but it was not discovered until my liver enzymes were slightly elevated in 2011. Then I was tested for hep C and it was discovered that I had Chronic Hep C. I have since treated it and am now cured. In retrospect, I had fatigue and body aches and joint aches and several other symptoms but I did not realize that they were due to the Hep C. Now I know that they were.
An Ultrasound of the liver may tell you if you have Cirrhosis (Stage 4 liver fibrosis) but it will not tell you if you have Stage 1, 2, or 3 fibrosis. My Ultrasound was completely normal and I have Stage 2 liver fibrosis. Liver enzymes often do not start rising until one has liver damage. My liver enzymes were only very slightly elevated.
You will probably have the Hepatitis Antibody panel first. If that is negative, you won't need further testing for Hep C. If the Hep C is positive, then they will run a HCV RNA test to see if you have a viral load. If you have a viral load, you have Chronic Hep C. If the HCV RNA detects no virus, then your immune system successfully fought off the disease.
If you do have Chronic Hep C they will determine which Genotype you have and then you can be treated. The current treatments have a very high cure rate and are much easier to do than the previous treatments. Depending on your Genotype, most current treatments are only 12 weeks long and, as I said, have very high cure rates.
Here is a link to information about the tests:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-c/tab/test/
and another link to testing:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-panel/tab/test/
Hopefully you will be negative. If you do have Chronic Hep C this forum is a good place to get information, answers to questions, and support.
Best of luck.
Hopefully you do not have Hepatitis C. However, you are a Baby Boomer and Baby Boomers are the group most likely to have Hepatitis C. The CDC now recommends that all Bbay Boomers be tested for Hepatitis C. In addition, you did inject drugs even though it was many years ago. Injecting drugs puts you in a high risk group. Also, about 40% of people have no idea how they contracted Hep C so, even if you had no risk factors, you could still have it.
Many people have had Hepatitis C for decades and do not know they have it. Many find out through routine testing or donating blood or through testing/treatment for another disease/condition. Often it is discovered inadvertently. And often it is discovered after people already have a lot of liver damage. I contracted Hep C in about 1974 but it was not discovered until my liver enzymes were slightly elevated in 2011. Then I was tested for hep C and it was discovered that I had Chronic Hep C. I have since treated it and am now cured. In retrospect, I had fatigue and body aches and joint aches and several other symptoms but I did not realize that they were due to the Hep C. Now I know that they were.
An Ultrasound of the liver may tell you if you have Cirrhosis (Stage 4 liver fibrosis) but it will not tell you if you have Stage 1, 2, or 3 fibrosis. My Ultrasound was completely normal and I have Stage 2 liver fibrosis. Liver enzymes often do not start rising until one has liver damage. My liver enzymes were only very slightly elevated.
You will probably have the Hepatitis Antibody panel first. If that is negative, you won't need further testing for Hep C. If the Hep C is positive, then they will run a HCV RNA test to see if you have a viral load. If you have a viral load, you have Chronic Hep C. If the HCV RNA detects no virus, then your immune system successfully fought off the disease.
If you do have Chronic Hep C they will determine which Genotype you have and then you can be treated. The current treatments have a very high cure rate and are much easier to do than the previous treatments. Depending on your Genotype, most current treatments are only 12 weeks long and, as I said, have very high cure rates.
Here is a link to information about the tests:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-c/tab/test/
and another link to testing:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-panel/tab/test/
Hopefully you will be negative. If you do have Chronic Hep C this forum is a good place to get information, answers to questions, and support.
Best of luck.
thank you both for your input! ok so I'll go ahead and get tested, about how long before you get the results?
I have the orders (they include all the other tests I get annually for my physical) I just need to remember to fast and get the tests done!
So the first test is just to see if I've ever been exposed? then I need more tests to see if I've got the virus hanging around?
I did a little google search on HepC and what I was reading was very scary (the treatment can be worse than the disease, etc) but I've learned from having other health conditions, that the best place to get up to date and accurate information is to go find the ppl dealing with the condition.
thank you, I will let you know what the results are!
I have the orders (they include all the other tests I get annually for my physical) I just need to remember to fast and get the tests done!
So the first test is just to see if I've ever been exposed? then I need more tests to see if I've got the virus hanging around?
I did a little google search on HepC and what I was reading was very scary (the treatment can be worse than the disease, etc) but I've learned from having other health conditions, that the best place to get up to date and accurate information is to go find the ppl dealing with the condition.
thank you, I will let you know what the results are!
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My AST was normal. My ALT was only very slightly elevated, similar to yours. My Alkaline Phosphatase was normal.
"Will your liver be able to go back to normal or is that damage permanent? how does it affect your life now?"
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The liver does have the capacity to regenerate so I am hoping that mine will improve over time. I don't think my liver fibrosis (Stage 2) really affects my life currently. The severe fatigue I had prior to treatment is now gone. Many of the muscle aches that I had prior to treatment are now gone. I feel considerably better since I completed treatment and sustained a cure.
"I am always tired but my doc thinks that's due to depression and/or stress. I've tried to tell her that I'm depressed *because* I'm too tired to do what I want to but she's got in set in her mind that I'm depressed and that's that."
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Many (if not most) doctors seem to dismiss fatigue as nothing and don't seem to want to recognize fatigue as being due to something other than aging or depression or being too fat. My doctor told me I was just getting old and that was why I was so tired. I knew he was wrong, but it took pulling teeth to get him to listen to me and to order a liver panel. (Actually, it took 9 years to get any doctor to do liver enzymes on me even though mine had been elevated on and off during the 1990s. They said I did not need the tests.)
"To be honest, at this point, I don't know what to hope for- If it turns out I've got hep C but it can be treated and even cured, that actually sounds like a better outcome then being tired all the time and not knowing why."
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Well, I hope you do not have Hep C, but I do agree that, when one does not feel well, getting a diagnosis can be a relief. At least with a diagnosis one knows what is wrong and one can get treatment. Plus, as has been stated, Hep C can be treated and does have high cure rates. I feel considerably better and healthier than I felt prior to treatment. Treatment has really turned my life around. I have a lot of energy and can do many things that I was way too tired to do prior to treatment. I feel normal again. I have my life back.
Best of luck.