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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lab result changes

adlk1234
adlk1234
Is it possible for your results (levels) to decrease -get better- over the years even though you have never received any treatment for Hep C? Back in 2007 my liver enzymes were elevated-AST, ALT- and this year-2014- they are normal. I never had any treatment. How can this be?
Trissa01
Trissa01
Yes. Liver enzymes fluctuate. Another test, they may be elevated again. Possibly your body is killing the virus, this does happen even with chronic hcv.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Liver enzymes fluctuate for no reason and also and can be effected by a number of things. Are you eating well? Taking any supplements or herbs? Or, were you on medication back in 07 that you are no longer taking?
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Note: ALT and AST in normal range does not mean you have cleared the virus. You need a VL test to confirm that.
lovefall
lovefall
I had normal liver enzymes for at least 20 years......At one time had only viral count of "4" - that is right, only 4.

However, at year, say 29 or so, it decided to rear it's ugly head and
when it did - it was awful. Now, I decided to have a glass of wine or 2 now and then and maybe that was the deciding factor for the Hep C,
I got too cocky.....

After all those years of remaining "normal", I figured I was fine....

My liver didn't think so. You could be just fine, it is a waiting game,
it messes with your head.
You notice I said my viral load was down to 4, with NO treatment, but the virus was still with me.

They are still wondering why some clear on their own and others
flare up 30-40 years later.
good luck!!
adlk1234
adlk1234
Thank you all for your comments. I have never received any treatment. I wasn't even aware that my levels were ever elevated back then until I got a copy of the lab results yesterday. For the past 3 or 4 yrs (including this weeks) test they were always in the normal range. I have never taken any supplements or herbs either-would that be helpful? And it has just been in the past 1 1/2 month that my appetite has practically flown out the window. I eat once a day-and not because I'm hungry-but because I feel I SHOULD at least eat something. My vl back in 2006/07 was 3.7