Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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Elevated liver enzyme levels

Robfed
Robfed
Hi-

My husband recently tested positive for hep c. His mother also just tested positive so the biggest risk factor would be birth for him. He is 30 years old. His ast/alt levels were 120 and 60. I'm not sure which number goes with which level. I am beyond scared considering prior to this I had no knowledge of this virus. I had heard about it and thats it. I am waiting my test results and fearing the worst. I have shared a razor and toothbrush before. I was wondering if those levels sound dangerously high to anyone. Or the fact that he has had it as long as he has. I have been losing my mind the last few days with no answers. He can't get into the doctor until May 11th. I'm totally losing it and scared. Can anyone shed some light? Thank you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
First, try to calm down, you dont know if you have it or not, wait on the test, dont put the horse before the cart, hugs , There is a chance you dont have it ,barb
Robfed
Robfed
I'm more worried about him
Trissa01
Trissa01
Don't worry, those levels are not critical & don't really tell much. He'll get a viral load done & geno type. Then maybe he'll get a biopsy. Keep breathing, he may have had this for a very long time, and he just joined the waiting game. Welcome to HepC support.
deleted_user
deleted_user
well, do you know what type he has or stage? barb
Robfed
Robfed
No, he just got the blood test. The doctor said he tested positive and that his levels were 120 and 60. I know that 120 is almost triple the normal level. The only exposure he had is from his parents. Dad was an iv drug user but died when he was young. His mom just tested positive last week. Thats what prompted him to get the test. I was shocked when it came back positive. I am seriously sick to my stomach. I've never been more scared in my life. I'm so afraid something is going to happen to him. We have been married TWO months.
Robfed
Robfed
Not to mention that I could have it. I keep looking things up on the internet and everything is so scary. I feel like he's doomed. He doesn't have one symptom.
Robfed
Robfed
What does the stage determine?
Trissa01
Trissa01
you won't know stage for awhile. Don't worry about it, it lives for a long time before many of us knew we had it - 35years for me.
It is NOT a death sentence.
Robfed
Robfed
Will he be sick for the rest of his life?
deleted_user
deleted_user
stage determines if any liver damage. I have just finished treatment and Im hep c free so far, so its not all doom and gloom,barb
Robfed
Robfed
Can he or possibly myself lead a normal life? I'm sorry to ask these questions but I'm in a hell not being able to talk to any professionals with answers
deleted_user
deleted_user
It is impossible tell any disease progression from liver enzymes. From what studies show they will vary greatly. typically when someone is fist infected their numbers will be high for the first 6 monts to a year but once someone with HCV becomes chronic it will go back down.
Mine were all over the place. From just slightly raised to off the charts.
So I wouldn't get too stressed out about just high liver enzymes. Many people have enzymes much much higher than this.
I know you are worried and that is typical. But this disease can be fought and him being younger will be on his side.
In the mean time just keep doing the research and keep praying.
Good luck and nice to meet you.
Robfed
Robfed
Barb- what was your stage?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I dont know since I didnt have a biopsy,barb
Robfed
Robfed
Its just so frustrating that there is no way to tell...and for so long. He broke down into tears today and it broke my heart. I've also been freaking him out with my anxiety and panicking over the situation so I know that wasn't helping him. I'm just so scared that I don't know how bad it is for him and then I don't even know if I have it. Plus, we don't have any children. I'm so worried that I would pass it onto my child. I'm just totally freaked.