LFT Freak Out

[epiphiny]

Been awhile since I've posted anything but sincerely need some thoughts and opinions from the forum.  

I am currently 22 weeks post tx and had some bloods taken on Friday and just got results. I am not due to get my 24 weeks PCR until 22 Oct and because I am travelling overseas I'm not able to get one earlier. I did try to talk the clinic into it but no go...

My ALT/AST has risen from15/18 respectively to 29/24 within 4 weeks.  I know these numbers are still within 'normal reference range' however for some reason they entirely freaked me out.  Since stopping tx my numbers have been consistently around the ALT 12 -15  AST 15 -18 mark. The only time I had numbers higher than 29/24 was prior to treatment and once during tx at about the 9 month mark. I was UND at 4 weeks in to tx and was still UND at my last PCR at 3 months.

I am aware that these numbers fluctuate, I'm also aware that they are not a reliable diagnosis but they can serve as in indicator of a possible relapse.

I also need to add that I had a gastro virus last week that I am only just recovering from.

I also notice that all my numbers since going UND have had my AST higher than my ALT and this time my AST is lower than my ALT.

SO, my questions are:

1. Would having a gastro virus cause my levels to rise?
2. Has anyone else out there who is SVR have similar ALT/AST levels?
3. If you have relapsed, did your LFTs give any indication of this?
4. Any thoughts on the change of ALT/AST ratio ie AST lower?

I appreciate all responses, just having a minor freak out over here and really wish I wasn't!

Many thanks,

Epiphany.

[Marcia2202]

Epi, you're fine. From what I've read so far here, people who relapsed had their enzymes shoot way out of the the normal range.

I will be doing my PCR end of the month. Will be pulling ahead right in front of you...

Hugs, Marcia

[epiphiny]

You guys are so awesome, thanks :)

[Isobella]

I don't have a lab story to share, but I can relate to "that" feeling that comes when a blip hits our UND radar screen.  So, I'm sending support (((((HUGS))))) and well wishes for you SVR.

Enjoy your holiday =)

Isobella

[Kristina538]

The lowest figure I managed was 8 weeks post at ALT 18 AST 23.   At 24 weeks post they were 24/22 when I got my UND result.  

I'm sure the gastro would cause some fluctuation, and even if it hasn't, you're still looking great!!!   My ALT/AST were above 50 all through tx, either thyroid or med related, but normalised after 4 weeks post then fluctuated a little.

BTW when I relapsed the first time my levels climbed early and 3 months post were higher than by pre-tx levels as the virus reinstated itself. .  Your picture looks nothing like that.  I'm feeling so confident for you.... truly.    ENJOY your holiday, and, while you're there, keep on the look out for some new red shoes.

[GSDgirl]

Epi,   Oh how I know that sinking, nervous, fearful, neverending wait for the 6 month PCR.  My liver enzymes did the same & I also had gastro issues off and on and still do on occasion.  My gastro issues turned out to be gastritis, the only reason I mentioned this is because every time I had a flareup I thought IT was back.  Well IT was not and is not still a year and a half later and I am sure that you will have the same outcome.

Denise

P.S. have fun!!

[epiphiny]

Thanks for the encouraging responses.  I'm making my way through the fear of relapse (wow, it's big) and try to regain my equilibrium.  It's good to hear others have had fluctuating LFTs and remained SVR also, and it's real good to know that LFTs can be affected by a gastro bug. I think the bug is still lurking, either that or I am really nervous!  Both perhaps?

I don't want to sink into self pity here but I really feel like this is the hardest part of the journey - it really is the last leg and there are no more drugs (oh how I felt so much better when I was actually able to DO something toward beating the dragon, despite that something making me sick.)  Now it's just me and my immune system and the interminable waiting period.

Thank goodness I am going on holiday for 2 weeks and hopefully I will be totally distracted and not obsess on it.  That's my goal, not to obsess!

NYGirl, your line about "don't sweat it, pip" made me laugh out loud.  I love that nickname!

Thanks again guys, once more it's the MH team to the rescue!

Epi (Pip) x

[nygirl7]

y ALT/AST has risen from15/18 respectively to 29/24 within 4 weeks.

Don't sweat it pip......it's a blip on the screen due to other issues going on.  I know it's impossible to not worry but I went running to my docs on an emergency visit one day over something like this and he pretty much laughed at me and told me to stop being so obsessive.

It's hard for us though and someone who hasn't been through it........they can't understand.  I am sure you are just fine.

[JennyPenny]

Whenever you have a gastro virus, it will raise your liver enzymes. Blood from the intestines makes its first pass through the liver. I know this because eventhough I've never been undetected, this has happened to me. My labs after the stomach virus had liver enzymes in the mid 100 range and my labs are always high normal. My hep doc told me this. I'm sure you will have an SVR. Enjoy your travels.

[copyman]

i just had my 12 week post tx results come back negative and my ALT is 65 and AST 30. my LFT's have been the same before, during and after treatment. Like you i was very concerned I relapsed and was happy to see I was still neg. study nurse says it could be a touch of fatty liver.

[Trish77]

Epi, if you were on any meds for that gastro virus, it could contribute to the rise in your ALT/AST.  Similar happened to me.  The antibiotics I was on had that result.  Perhaps something else introduced could be contributing to this as well.  Hang in there - hoping for good results for you from your 24 week test.

Trish

[epiphiny]

Thanks so much for sharing that info.  Hopefully a few more people will share their LFT anomalies and I will not feel so alone and in the cold.  That result really did put a damper on my spirits, I had been feeling pretty good this last few days after getting over my gastro virus and looking forward to our trip away..

When I took the test the gastro virus was still in my system and I had the most stressful 7 days leading up to the test - my mother was taken into hospital in an ambulance earlier in the week and then I got sick etc etc...  Also, we have had a change of labs here and there have been a few muddles.  Basically it's all new labs, all new lab technicians, and all new reporting...  I guess it could be anything...

I think it's just the uncertainty of not knowing the outcome of the treatment, and my litmus test is still 3 or 4 weeks away.  I sure did find out how much I have hanging on the result. But, as you say, worrying won't change it.

Btw, nice spotting on my name spelling!  My middle is actually Epiphany and I use it as my screen name most sites I go to.  Unfortunately Epiphany with the correct spelling was already gone on MH and I had to spell it creatively to get as close as I could!  Lol, sometimes I forget that I have spelled it differently and have had problems signing in on different computers!

Anyway, thanks again, Bug, and if there is anyone else out there with some random results after cessation of tx and still UND I would love to hear from you :))

Epi.

[ladybug52]

Little name change? Perhaps you've gone into that before, but it's the first time I noticed the spelling changed.
Ok, so here's a couple of my labs psot treatment. I treated Dec 06 to March 07 and I knew I had a bad liver enzxyme once or twice so I found these results from Dec. 08, when I had already cleared the virus and was svr.
AST  28
ALT  64
I was very freaked out, but I get abnormal lab readings sometimes, then the next time things are normal. My glucose on that lab was 130, which is definitely high. My dr kept telling me I was pre-diabetic. I was freaking out about the blood sugar and horrified that my ALT was so high.
My last lab results on 9/10/09 are as follows:
AST 18
ALT  27
GLUCOSE 95
I've been told by nurses that the labs are susceptible to how hydrated your system is, what you've had to eat and drink the day before and how well the lab handles the bloodwork that's been done.
Don't worry, it's all going to be ok! I know the feeling, and I also know that worrying doesn't help or change things. But it's easier to say when it's not me:)
Bug