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Posted 9/14/2013 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
It has been a few weeks since i have been active on this site, but I posted when I was first diagnosed with Hep C, here. At the time, I had only been told my bloodtest showed Hep C antibodies. I got all the tests needed, and it was confirmed, Hep C genotype 1a, although unsure viral load and still no CT scan results. However, I received some good news as well! When I was first diagnosed, I got a LFT done and it showed my liver enzymes at 2000! I was very ill at that time,some yellowing of the eyes and a lot of pain. My most recent blood test now show those enzymes at 50! I was shocked. How should I feel about that? What could this mean? Any insight would be much appreciated.
Posted 9/14/2013 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lizardd! LFT's are a group of blood tests that detect damage and inflammation to the liver. What exactly showed a result of 2000 and then 50? Included in LFT's are AST, ALT, INR, alkaline phosphatase, etc. Of course no matter which it was, I'm certainly happy that your level improved so much! Please keep us updated.

Have a peaceful day.
Posted 9/15/2013 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Liz, it appears to me that you contracted hep C, but that your immune system threw it out. This happened to me with hep B. Others are more knowledgeable than I when it comes to interpreting labs, but if you had chronic active hep C, you would not show antibodies (Syxx or someone...correct me if I'm wrong.) Your surface antigen would be positive. And your liver enzymes would not likely be trending downward. Please have your doctor confirm this for you.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/15/2013 1:08 AM (GMT 0)

hep93 said...
Liz, it appears to me that you contracted hep C, but that your immune system threw it out. This happened to me with hep B. Others are more knowledgeable than I when it comes to interpreting labs, but if you had chronic active hep C, you would not show antibodies (Syxx or someone...correct me if I'm wrong.) Your surface antigen would be positive. And your liver enzymes would not likely be trending downward. Please have your doctor confirm this for you.

Hugs,
Connie

I hope you are right! That would be great, but I am not sure. My doctor never said anything about that, he just told me the number was 50, and that ment my liver was doing fantastic. The bloodwork showed it active and genotype 1a, but no viral load results yet. So how does this work? With my enzymes dropping so drastically, does this mean that I likely have fought it off? Can they determine the genotype only to later find no viral load? The only thing im concerned with, is that the viral load test was done around the time my enzymes had dropped to 200, within two weeks of seeing them at 2000. As far as the enzyme type I am not sure. Does anyone have a guess? I know 1000 is considered high for this enzyme. The bloodwork I got that showed enzymes at 50 were done only last monday. I am suppose to be contacted by a liver specialist. Should I wait for that, or what should I do next to get further answers? I have no blood work pending, and am scheduled to see my doc a month from now.
Posted 9/15/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
          hi lizzardd,   2000 wow!!  my guess is alt.  those #s and drinking heavy, along with jaundice. then back to normal. 

          you tested positive for antibodies then your dr had you do more bloodwork.  as to whether you have an ongoing infection; you cant have a genotype 1a, if you dont have a viral load. in other words, there has to be virus in your blood to detect genotype.  you will be seeing a liver doc soon, so relax and wait.  your tests will all be done again.  please ask your dr for copies of all bloodwork, so you can refer to them.  there will be a treatment for geno 1a coming in a few months.  it will be the begining of the end for hep c, in the US.  so dont stress too much

         as far as clearing the virus spontaneouly thru your immune system is concerned; the active virus always shows 1st in bloodwork, then anti bodies are made by the immune system in response.  you then have a short window phase of maybe 6 months. since your at risk exposure was in june, this is still a possibility. 

          best of everything in your journey,  barry

Posted 9/15/2013 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
So are you saying that you can have a viral load and a genotype detected but still clear it on your own? The intense drop in ALT, could that be a sign that this could be the case? im hopeful but understand that it is rare. I guess all I can do is wait and see.
Posted 9/15/2013 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Liz, yes, it does happen. I hope this is the case with you. If not, you will need treatment. I really would like to know exactly what liver enzyme it is that was 2000 and then decreased to 50 now. ALT, AST, Alka-Phos, or what?

Was there mention of heavy drinking? I must have missed that. Liz, how long have you been sober now?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/15/2013 5:15 AM (GMT 0)

hep93 said...
Liz, yes, it does happen. I hope this is the case with you. If not, you will need treatment. I really would like to know exactly what liver enzyme it is that was 2000 and then decreased to 50 now. ALT, AST, Alka-Phos, or what?

Was there mention of heavy drinking? I must have missed that. Liz, how long have you been sober now?

Hugs,
Connie

Yep, my doctor knows about the drinking, but depends on the definition of heavy. I drank about 2-3 times a week for a few months. Usually to the point of getting drunk(about 8 beers), but was never a drink every day or all day drinker. As far as sober, gotta admit, i havent abstained completely. Had a couple beers a few weeks a go, and a celebratory drink for a birthday yesterday. I know I shouldn't, but im not going to lie about it.
Posted 9/15/2013 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Liz, it's best not to lie. It does no one any good. But please...if you can't abstain altogether, go to AA for support and 12 Steps that will teach you how to live life on life's terms, without alcohol. It has worked for me. There is no chance of getting treatment if you are still imbiding, even very occasionally. While your system MAY have thrown off the virus, you are still taking chances. Too many unknowns right now.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/15/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
hi lizardd, im not here to judge your drinking or using. as long as your dr is aware. in response to your ??s,
yes!! if june is your exposure date, then you are in the acute phase now. this is where your immune system can do the job. 20% of exposures are cleared spontaneously (your immune system).
your enzyme drop can be from removing alcohol or removing hep c, or both.
i have been fighting this disease for 45 years, and 3 very grueling treatments. i am also a genotype 1a, which was very difficult to treat with older, and current treatments. but i did it. at 63 years old, im finally virus free. but i still have cirrhosis.
i want to wish you the very best for good news from your new doc. stay strong and knock down that virus

barry
Posted 9/15/2013 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses! My doctor said my enzymes wouldn't be that high from drinking alone, so if it w as only the virus and my body was capable of reversing it so quickly, maybe I have cleared it! I sure hope so. I guess I'll know soon enough. It is stupid to drink, I was being cavalier about it all and I'm not going to let the good news be the reason I stop taking it seriously and continue to drink. Regardless it isn't good. I'm done. And connie you are right, too many unknowns , not worth the risk. I can abstain and it is easy, so thats what im going to do. Going to tell people that I'm not drinking at this point, but ill come out and be the DD! Getting better at being "on my game" and socializing with new people and being confident without alcohol. Funny if you just try it a few times, it's really quite easy. Not sure what you all think of marijuana, but I use it occasionally and has caused no problems in my life unlike alcohol. If I'm going to do something that will be it, nothing else. Anyways, will keep you all updated!
Posted 9/15/2013 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Stay away from alcohol and use your "herbals." My docs have no problem with that.
Posted 9/15/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
i used herb during tx and had no problem with bloodwork. my dr said she didnt want to know, with a wink. it helps with many symptoms, but can cause anxiety. barry
Posted 9/15/2013 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
RULES:
1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence (ie. illicit drugs, including medical marijuana,

You guys are in violation of forum rules. Our Administrator is currently looking into changing his stance on medical marijuana, as so many states are legalizing this. However, for the time being, no further discussion of cannabis.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/15/2013 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I don't get this, because I am allowed to talk about hard drug use (cocaine,etc.) that may have exposed me to hep c, but I'm not allowed to talk about drug use living with hep c? And how it might effect me? I posted about cocaine use wondering if it may have caused liver damage, but that wasn't in violation of the rules? Sorry but I'm confused. It seems with discussion of health, it is important to be open and not have to hide anything, considering I don't have to and am encouraged not too when it comes to even doctors, nurses etc. if we aren't allowed to talk about drugs, how can we get advice and learn, etc.?
Posted 9/15/2013 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
connie and administrator, i feel a number of your rules are out of touch with what is happening in the world of liver disease. im not even gonna touch MMJ, that is a no brainer. Sad!! the main topics of today revolving around treatments, trials, and posting articles and links are not allowed. WHY... its not spam. they are the most exciting topics, that people want to discuss.
respectfully barry
Posted 9/16/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Guys,
Connie has gone to bat for a change on discussion about the use of certain herbs for pain relief, etc. as laws are currently changing in many states.

Our moderators are volunteers.

Our members are volunteers.

Our administrator, and owner of this site, will make a determination and we, the volunteers, will deal with that. This site provides a free and supportive service that helps a lot of folks, or I think it does, and hope it actually does.

Maybe, for now, we can speak with the same voice about herbal remedies as we do with Health Food Store liver cleanses and the like...that without FDA regulation, we can't encourage their use. Even with meds, we never pretend to be physicians, rather we share our own (or our loved ones) experiences with certain FDA approved medications for certain symptoms, etc. We share nutritional tips too...but that's what they are, tips. The docs have the final say in things.

I hope this can be put to bed for the time being...and that we have not hurt anyone's feelings.

Carol
Posted 9/16/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
It isn't Connie's rule, it's the administrator. That's why I used the word herbals. I understand the rule, just don't agree with it.
Posted 9/16/2013 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I guess I understand. I'm not against rules, just feel like its so unclear what the rule actually is. If I say "hey I did a line of coke last night, is my liver ok?" But I can't say, "I smoke marijuana once in awhile"? Or are neither allowed? I'm afraid I might not be able
To get as much as I'd hoped out of this site if I can't be honest :(
Posted 9/16/2013 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Liz, we are permitted mention of what we have done chemically that has damaged or could damage our livers. But it should NOT lead to a discussion. This is how the Admin. explained it to me. In your post, you asked for feedback, thus we got a "discussion" going. It had been better to just avoid it altogether...and adhere to your doctor's recommendations, with anything medical.

Imagine the Mods' slippery slope...trying to abide by the rules and yet not delete every mention of illicit drugs! I could have deleted all the posts pertaining to "herbals," but didn't because I wanted to explain the situation.

Liz, you and others have valid points, and I happen to agree. But as Carol said, we are just lowly volunteer moderators. We don't own or run the site, nor set the rules. I think that there is so much more to be gained here in terms of info and support, that not speaking of questionable things is a no-brainer.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/16/2013 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Connie, for your responses. Really put things in perspective for me. I'll abstain from discussing illicit things here :)
Posted 9/16/2013 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
You could discuss things such as these by directly emailing other members on this site.
Posted 9/16/2013 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good point, David. :-)

Hugs,
Connie
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