a little scared, LFTs up

[debnevada]

Hi Guys:

Got some labs back and my lfts are up to 54 and 61 (AST, ALT).  They were in the 20s about two months ago.  I HAVE been taking a lot of new prescription meds (three add'l but were cleared with hep staff) and I am hoping this is the reason. Waiting on an additional PCR drawn Friday as well.

Also I have suppressed TSH but I've been hypo all my life....

Thoughts?

[nygirl7]

IO ran screaming over to my doctors in an EMERGENCY appointment when mine went up a little. He laughed so hard and said sweetie calm down there is NOTHING wrong this happens all the time.

Of course I refused to believe it until I got my pcr back. Then, they went straight back down to the 20s again.

So as you can see - we've all been there. It's nothing.  You're fine.

Deb

[meki]

Just to let you know - my ast/alts jumped up and down constantly --- -and even now almost 6 months post tx = they still run in the 20s as of last test.

So don't panic.

Wait for the PCR... Super big hugs!

Meki

[TravelMom]

Just went through the same thing...my daughters enzymes doubled and we were worried the virus may have broke through...and that she stopped responding...then got the call from the nurse that she was responding and met the criteria to continue (Prove 3).... Was told anything is possible with these drugs...they can be hard on the liver and the increase may or may not have anything to do with actual virus.

Good luck...I know how scarey this can be...

Please update us as soon as you know more.

TM

[debnevada]

The hep nurse told me that being as hyperthryoid as i am now is likely the cause of the lft issue. She said not to worry, we'd change the thyroid and that would probably help.

hope so

[FlGuy]

The thoughts you're now having is the reason I'd rather not know LFT results.  I have enough stress and stuff on my mind without the extra burden of a matter beyond my control. Just show me the results of the PCRs, CBCs and TSH  that show that I'm doing my part.

[debnevada]

I know you are probably right. I'm just a little scared. I keep thinking there is a connection between the rx drugs and the virus. Lord knows my liver has been through a lot in the last six months.

[jmjm530]

I would request a more sensitive TMA (<5) for all your tests although it's unlikely that once you were below <5, you would test between 5 and 50, which I assume is the sensitivity of your PCRs? Still, the testing technology has evolved with the TMAs, so I see no reason not to use them throughout and especially at EOT to differentiate any possible relapse from a breakthrough. Good luck on your results but I'm sure you will be non-detectible given your last TMA.

-- Jim

[debnevada]

Golden; i had a bit of a jump after starting treatment but it went down to 23 and 20 in May. Now up again.  

Jim: You know exactly what I'm worried about, obviously, breakthrough. It has been six weeks since my last PCR which was TMA <5. They drew a PCR which is the interim measure (less sensitive) for the 12, 24 and so on so I'm waiting for that one.  So I'm just waiting for that and then I'll calm down a little.

I feel so silly because they aren't what they were  at the end of January 680 something and 799.

[goldenrule]

My ALT was within normal range before starting treatment. One week into tx my ALT jumped into the 90's, and then slowly declined throughout  the 36 weeks I TX'd. I did not have a normal ALT until around week 32

[jmjm530]

I think I left out the most important part in the first sentence -- and that is that a raise in LFTs does not mean the virus is back, although viral breakthrough is always a possiblity with anyone on treatment, although not very common.

[jmjm530]

LFT's sometimes rise during tx, and often the reason can be the tx drugs themselves, although rx meds might also be a cause. Are you having monthly viral load tests during treatment? Some leading liver specialists (I'll include mine here and I believe Jensen over at Clinical Options Web Site) do monthly viral load tests to make sure the virus does not re-emerge. I think this a prudent approach and might set your fears of relapse at ease. Something you might want to discuss with your doc or NP, or at least ask for something more frequent than the usual 12, 24, 48 week tests.

All the best,

-- Jim