Aa
need to know
what exactly does alt and ast mean? also what do they mean when they ask for geneotype? i know tomorrow i will fine out at gi dr but you know some dr;s don't explain or don't want to take the time and i don't have really a choice cause i have medicaid and i live in the sticks or wood..lol...i have heard he is a good dr just afraid he will not explain so i understand,,please someone give me some answers so i am not so dumb..i know for sure i have hepc and it is active and that i have had it for some time just now got my medicaid back so if you could answer these questions i should would appreciate it cause i am about to loose my mind over this and the not knowing,,,thank you...happyoldergal
Of course, send me a message any time. I'm working so check in here sporadically, but for the most part, daily.
thanks...the only thing i know is my viral load is over 743,000 thanks i don't feel so stupid...i hope that i can talk to u again and can we be freinds on here?happyoldergal
My understanding is (and I am by no means an expert), that the ALT and AST levels indicate the levels of certain enzymes in your blood. I think I read that these enzymes are created when liver cells die. But I also heard that if there is a high level of these, that your liver is not functioning as it should be. Given that your liver is responsible for dozens (if not more) life-giving processes, it is pretty serious when these levels are very high.
HepC attacks the liver, killing liver cells, and high alt/ast levels are what triggered my doctor to test me for hepc and hiv.
The genotype has to do with different types of the disease that is out there. Some types are more prevalent in certain countries, but with air travel, etc. that is less of a determinant of the genotype you are infected with.
The different types of genotypes have different treatments, in terms of how long, and how much of a percentage of successfully attaining SVR (Sustained Virological Response). SVR basically is finding that hepc is no longer detectable in your bloodstream, and it is what we are all striving for who are under treatment.
One other thing that comes up in the tests you get when going on treatment (tx) is your viral load. This is a test to see how many (cells?) of the disease is in your blood tests. The goal is to have it undetectable.
I hope that helps clarify some of this. I'm still learning about it myself.
HepC attacks the liver, killing liver cells, and high alt/ast levels are what triggered my doctor to test me for hepc and hiv.
The genotype has to do with different types of the disease that is out there. Some types are more prevalent in certain countries, but with air travel, etc. that is less of a determinant of the genotype you are infected with.
The different types of genotypes have different treatments, in terms of how long, and how much of a percentage of successfully attaining SVR (Sustained Virological Response). SVR basically is finding that hepc is no longer detectable in your bloodstream, and it is what we are all striving for who are under treatment.
One other thing that comes up in the tests you get when going on treatment (tx) is your viral load. This is a test to see how many (cells?) of the disease is in your blood tests. The goal is to have it undetectable.
I hope that helps clarify some of this. I'm still learning about it myself.
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