About a month ago my liver enzymes were quite high. ALT was 320 or so, and my AST was 100. Since then, I made alot of lifestyle changes and the enzyme levels seem to reflect this. My AST is now normal, and my ALT is down to 200. Also my abdominal pain is much less severe.

My question is: How significant is this in terms of my disease? Do enzyme level fluctuate often or is this a sign that my liver is healing itself?

Any info would be aprreciated.

Thanks

It is significant over time. One or two high readings don't have the significance that high readings over time (a year or so) will. Lots of things can increae the ALT's temporarily, so don't take one or two high readings to heart.

Lower is better.

Continue with the lifestyle changes. Whatever you are doing is improving your health.

I hope this helps,

thanbey

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www.hcop.org (http://www.hcop.org)
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What kind of changed have you done with your lifestyle? My ALT and AST levels have been high (not quite as high as yours) ALT is 106 and AST is 60. I have to get these to normal in order to get my liver biopsy done. I've bee waiting for almost a year now and I can't seem to get my levels down.

I would appreciate any insight you might have. I've been living with Autoimmune Hepititis for too long and I would like to get off of Prednisone and Imuran as soon as possible.


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Take care, Amanda

1) I started taking dietary suppliments that are supposed to aid in liver repair and overall function: Milk Tistle, Red Clover, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA 1500mg per day), Vit C (3000mg per day), a good B-complex, SAMe, and a multi-vitamin.

2) I drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. I quit using tap water completely. A gallon of distilled water costs about .30cents. Imo, it's well worth the money to know the water you're drinking is free from trace amounts of heavy metals and other nasties.

3) Following Thanbey's advice, I make sure that I am not starving myself in any way...ever. I wake up several times in the middle of the night and eat a small protein rich snack, which is usually a tall glass of soy milk. Eat! Now is not the time to worry about your weight. Eat foods high n preotein and your liver will thank you.

4) Also following Thanbey's advice, I quit eating tuna, which I used to eat daily. It contains trace amounts of mercury.

5) I quit smoking. This was probably the best thing that I have done as far as changes go. I actually started noticing a HUGE difference in the way I felt after I stopped smoking on the third or fourth day. I was having some serious discomfort in my liver for months. That pain is now gone. Again, thank you to Thanbey.

6) I drink a few glasses of decaffinated green tea everyday. Green tea is a great antioxidant.

7) 1 tablespoon of Flaxseed oil everyday (That's mainly for my heart).

8) I dont eat red meat. I realize that latest studies have shown that red meat isnt as bad as previously thought to be, but I know how I feel when I eat it. Soy and fish protein makes me feel much better overall than protein from a red meat source.


If you havent checked out ALA, my advice would be to do so. Their doing studies on it all over the world (mostly in Germany) regarding it's benefits for people with Hep and other liver disorders. The posted results are amazing to read.

I quit smoking and started ALA at the same time so it's hard to say which had the greater impact.

As I said in another post, ALA is quite expensive if you buy it in a GNC or other nutririon type store. I buy mine online for pennies per mg.

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 12-01-2002).]

Btw, why do liver enzymes have to be normal before a biopsy can be done?

Hi Ralph,

There is no need to wake up to eat in the middle of the night to eat. Your sleep is also very, very important.

Watching your weight IS important. Studies have repeatedly found obesity to be a risk for fibrosis.Be sure you are getting enough exercise, too. A brisk 30 minute walk three times a week, at least, will make a huge difference in your energy level and may even help ward off depression. Exercise can lower enzymes, too.


A snack of anything before retiring at night is quite enough. The study I read had the subject eat a low-fat yogurt. The concern about fasting is of importance primarily for those with cirrhosis.

Flaxseed is a good idea, and grapeseed also is something that has the same properties. Middle eastern food stores sell this very cheap.

Vitamin E in quantities greater than 800 mg (800 mgs was not enough, but the exact amount is still not known) is another suggestion.

Few people have the self-discipline to do what you are doing, Ralph. No excuses, just get on with a healthy lifetyle. I admire that very much.

Enzymes do not need to be normal to do a biopsy.

thanbey
www.hcop.org (http://www.hcop.org)

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www.hcop.org (http://www.hcop.org)
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[This message has been edited by thanbey (edited 12-01-2002).]

thanbey, thank you very much for your kind words. I do intend to fight this with everything I have. Right now, I feel healthier than I have ever felt in all my adult years. This may seem strange but I consider my virus to be a blessing. It's gonna save my life not end it.

I have a quick question for you or anyone who can assist. I just purchased a juicer today. I've used the search engine and I cant seem to find the answer I'm looking for. I seem to remember Vitamin A and beta-carotines can be toxic to the liver? Is this true? If so, I should probably lay off the carots, right? Are there any other fruits or veggies that I should try to avoid?

Thanks for everything.

Everything in moderation, Ralph.

Eating carrots or drinking the juice is fine in small amounts. I'd suggest drinking apple juice as a better supplement. It has so many great things in it.

Vitamin A is fine in food sources, but do not supplement or use it in lotions or cosmetic preparations. Some prescriptions for acne, and some cosmetics use Vitamin A. Even topical lotions hit the liver eventually.

Again, in moderation, fine. Supplementation of Vitamin A is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Same for zinc and iron. Watch labels. Mercury and lead are to be avoided. Many old building will also have old plumbing that has lead (from old pipes) or mercury in it. Your idea of filtered water is a good one.

I'm glad you're feeling better and paying attention.

But, Ralph, pay attention to having a balanced life, too. Enjoy friends and family and whatever warms your heart.

Pay it forward, Ralph.

thanbey
www.hcop.org (http://www.hcop.org)

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www.hcop.org (http://www.hcop.org)
preapproved by moderator1

I was told that my liver enzymes had to be somewhat normal because my liver wasn't clotting blood. So when the biopsy was done, the liver would cause clotting and then I wouldn't bleed so much.

I am having a lot of trouble finding information on Autoimmune Hepititis. I've heard lots of rumors on life expectancy, how it is contracted and whether or not it can be passed on either through sexual contact or through DNA. It's all very confusing.

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7cm cyst on spleen
Autoimmune Chronic Active Hepititis
Epilepsy w/Temporal Lobe Seizures
Kidney Infection
mild arthritis
goiter on thyroid
inflamed liver
I'm 23 and I'm falling apart! Advice???

I just went to see my GI Specialist yesterday and I have finally got my liver biopsy scheduled after over a year later from my diagnosis. My liver enzymes are not good, but they aren't bad either.

I got blood work done Dec. 28, 2001 and my ALT was 718 and my AST was 680 (normal is 36).....yikes! When I started my prednisone, it was cut it half and to date, I am down to ALT = 93 and AST = 64. Once my biopsy is done, we'll be able to figure out how much damage in done to my liver. But aparently, the enzymes don't have to be normal, but they should be close to for the biopsy.

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7cm cyst on spleen
Autoimmune Chronic Active Hepititis
Epilepsy w/Temporal Lobe Seizures
Kidney Infection
mild arthritis
goiter on thyroid
inflamed liver
I'm 23 and I'm falling apart! Advice???