ast/alt questions

[jay1975]

should i be concerned about my AST/ALT??? heres my results.
9/05 ast20  alt18
6/06 ast21  alt20
7/06 ast18  alt19
9/06 ast20  alt17
10/06 ast17  alt14

I'm worried that this may mean cirrhosis!!!! I'm probobly just a worried well.  Docs say I'm OK - what do you guys think???

So far I'm negative for everything after 2 years

[sfbaygirl]

Before my time? You jest me lady! I am early 50's like you. I was watching Janis roll around in her porche....I don't remember the song you mentioned though. You know what they say, if you remember the 60's you weren't there. Sad, but true.

[Forseegood]

I don't know about the skulls an crossbones, but I'll bet there will be a few spitballs flyin around...along with some passengers...Goof will probably throw a few things at the young ladys, God knows...hope Jim shares his sushi....youre from San Francisco, remember that song, "I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus"? by the Firesign Theatre? Probably before youre time, came out in the early 70's...

[sfbaygirl]

I am not sure which visual picture I like better, the '"where's Waldo" liver biopsy or the the thought of a poison brigade with all us MH folks on Halloween shuffling along with our poison signs and gaping, panting mouths. Active imagination huh?

[jay1975]

I have just read that an AST higher than an ALT is a possible sign of cirrhosis.

[jay1975]

I have just had some very strange symptoms for the past 2 years. ruq,luq dry eyes and mouth, oral lichen planus,white tongue...ect.  I was in a relationship with a girl who I later found out had HCV.  All of my test have been negative (lots of tests including HCV qualitative test). just wish I knew what was up!!

[avidreader]

All kinds of things that have nothing to do with HEP C cause ALT's and AST's to fluctuate. Yours are well within normal ranges and you have tested negative--I'm not sure what you are worried about. Some (but certainly not all) things that can cause your ALT's and AST's to flucuate include some herbal remedies and treatments, alchohol use, and steroid use.

[FlGuy]

I hope the doc takes a look at the easier stuff first like yeast infection or too much chalk in your diet.  To start the medical version of 'Where's Waldo' with a liver biopsy seems a little bit on the far side of 'way out there'.  Why do you have those liver panels so frequently?  Are you in Pakistan?

[slowsouthernstyle]

hi floridaman you are funny i liked your post.hey have you started treatment again.slow

[Kalio1]

Your AST/ALT look like the picture of health, why would you think you have cirrhosis? Why did you have so many liver enzyme tests? the first one was normal, why test again? Is something else going on? All your readings are within normal range.

[FlGuy]

Apparently you are home this week.  You're on the road  a lot right?  Yup, started over the weekend.  Once agaain, a card-carrying memmber of the poison brigade.

[FlGuy]

Since the topic you entered is hep-c, you ast/alt's are as listed, and all tests are negative you might have to re-think your definition of cool if that doc would suggest a biopsy unless he has some other information that you're not sharing.

[Forseegood]

so did you start? just wondering about you...i'm glad youre here as always...

[slowsouthernstyle]

i am hoping you have better luck this time.slow

[Forseegood]

howz about this? an MH Halloween tour bus, with Can Do man, Flguy and Goof bringing up the rear, and Rev driving...ha ha! Taxi! Taxi!

[FlGuy]

I don't know about this bringing up the rear business.  I think it's goof who has the date with the business end of the scope. Started and feel pretty darn good right now.  Any day of tx that's behind you is a good day and if the day was not a struggle it's a bonus. Sat and Sun were not my idea of a good time, but today - not so bad. So, that's actually 3 days down.

[jmjm530]

Jay: I have just read that an AST higher than an ALT is a possible sign of cirrhosis.
----------------------------------
ONLY if both enzymes are abnormal. Your enzymes are normal so it's perfectly OK for your AST to be higher. Your doctor is right correct, you are "OK" in that regard.

Given your low enzymes, and a negative test for Hep C, I'm not sure why they are going to do a biopsy unless other tests or symptons are compelling enough. Is the doctor you mentioned a liver specialist (hepatologist)? That would be the way I'd go.


Be well,

-- Jim

[jay1975]

thanks for all your info - Honestly, I'm just a guy who has had some weird symptoms going on and is scared to death. Just trying to figure out whats up. I'm glad that you guys are all so cool and friendly!!!

p.s - I'm from illinois not pakistan...but i did get a huge laugh outta that!!! thanks!!

[sfbaygirl]

I don't know if I wanna be in front of Goof in this parade and Rev driving the bus!!!! We would be jumping out the windows! Are there going to be skulls and crossbones on the sides of the bus?

[GrandOak]

Why do you think it signifies cirrhosis?

Unless your lab is using a different range for these's LFT readings, they all seem to be well withing the normal range.  Of course you can have cirrhosis and normal LFT's as the former is simply a classification of .  The real concern is whether it is in remission or advancing?

For a better understanding of cirrhosis see:

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/

[jay1975]

also going to see a specialist to see whats going on.  His name is Dr. Marc Berstein in St. Louis area.  Anyone know about this doc???  Heard he's pretty cool and smart!!  Nurse said he may do a liver biopsy since all may tests have been negative.  I am scared to death of that!!!  some people say it will hurt others says its pretty easy.