ALT and AST: two important liver enzymes.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase ) should be monitored routinely, as if it continues to increase, it may mean HCV is getting worse.

The liver produces ALT, which helps produce salts and amino acids (which are used to make proteins). Increases in ALT are usually a signal of liver inflammation or damage. However, ALT is not a good marker for predicting HCV disease progression, or indicating how much your liver may already be damaged. This is because liver enzyme levels regularly go up and down in people with HCV.

Up to a third of people with chronic HCV always have a normal ALT, but some of them will have serious liver damage. Normal liver enzyme levels, even over time, do not mean that you have no liver damage.

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is another enzyme involved in the production of amino acids but because it is made in the heart, intestines, and muscles, it is not a sensitive marker for liver injury.

AST is often used to monitor liver inflammation and damage in combination with other tests.

Though a bit confusing when it comes to ALT and AST, what that tells me is that you need to get on top of your hep-c problems right away and that conventional treatment is unlikely to offer much help - but that might be good news, since natural help is available.  You just have to DO IT!

Be sure to check back in with us and let us know how your viral loads decrease and how you are feeling.

DQ