i did a 7 month test on myself regarding my enzymes.i started to take liv-tone with milk thistle etc.i monitor my enzymes as my blood work results,every month are faxed over to me.i really think that by taking the liv-tone has helped alot.my results came in yesterday. ast/50 alt/47.have this 20+years and haven't done treatment.your oppinion would be greatly appreciated.take care.
keep the faith, bless you............mj

mj,

I think Kackles would probably in a better position to comment than I. She has a lot of experience treating naturally and has been monitoring her situation for a long time. She also reports a big drop in her viral load count from natural treatments (liv-tone, etc). But I must say your AST and ALT tests are really encouraging, since normal range from AST is 0-40 and normal range for ALT is 30-65, according to my lab. I'd say that's pretty good. Course, these tests are not the end-all, but are a decent indicator of how well your liver was functioning at the time of your bloodwork.

My understanding is those tests can readily fluctuate. I think it was Kackles who posted once one of her ALT tests came back something like 101, but she said she was painting and the like (was breathing around some nasty chemicals) just prior to her test. How have your tests been coming back -- is this a substantial drop? If so, that's really good news!

I've been toying with the idea of taking liv-tone but right now I am only taking the Milk Thystle and Vit e sups to help this. I take lots of other vits/sups, but already was prior to my diagnosis. I would like to add some other items known to be beneficial, so I still have to work on that.

Hope this helps, mj. Am interested in where these numbers came in from past numbers. Please do let me know!

Kackles - can you add here?

Keep your spirits and attitude HIGH (and Happy Easter!)

Diane

hi Casperclaudee
thank you for your reply.regarding the enzymes, it wasn't a big drop.the alt (in my oppinion)is the one that can give us a better idea of where things stand regarding stages or state that the liver is in.the highest alt has been with me was 125,and ast was 98.so it seemed to have not dropped all at once (in which was great news for me)but yes they have gradually been dropping and now they are at the lowest ever, so i must be doing something right.i'm just curiouse and would like to learn more about (alternatives).and would like to study that field a bit for my own piece of mind.the liv-tone that i take has the milk thistle in it.thank's again for your reply!
keep the faith, bless you...................mj

Hi Mj, you haven't been on the board much lately. How have you been? Are you feeling well? Are you all unpacked from the move?

Taking the liv-tone can't be hurting you and like I told you before I took supplements (herbs & vitamins) for 2 years and my levels remained the same. Same ALT/AST, viral load. What ingredients are in the liv-tone? Be sure they are all natural with no preservatives or additives.

The big indicator is your biopsy results. What were yours and when is your next one?

Treatment is such a personal decision. Don't feel like you "have" too and don't feel like you "don't have too". You'll know IF OR when its the right time for you. Listen to your body and follow what it tells you.

I am treating strictly because it felt right for me at this time. I don't want to live the rest of my life with HCV even though I probably can. I wasn't feeling great anyway and I have minimal fibrosis from years of drugs and alcohol. I got tired of keeping up with all the supplements and it was more expensive than treatment. I'm just starting into it and it hasn't been bad. I try to stay away from negative posts about tx because I don't want to be influenced in anyway. I guess I'm afraid if I read about someones nightmare tx, just thinking about it will make mine the same......I know the Lord is looking out for me and I know that He is healing me but that comes from my faith.

You just keep doing what you're doing, get a biospy every three years and be comfortable with whatever decision you make. You'll know when and if. I have faith in you!!! Sorry didn't mean to butt in http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Take care and TTS
Jeannie

[This message has been edited by Jemah (edited 04-22-2003).]

thanks so much for your reply Jemah
we are all settled in here, but have been busy with decorating the place.it's comming along just fine.i don't have my file on hand it's in the filing cabinet in our bedroom, and the comp. is in the basement best as i recall i had my biopsy done 3 years ago,and things weren't bad considering how long that i've had this. however my new gp wants me to have another biopsy, i agreed. but my liv doc says that there is no need,and to wait another 2 years.however i am amazed at my enzymes at this point in time, i did the booze, drugs trip back in my (other life) as i like to reffer to it.my faith has been a great impact on me when i first found out about having hep.and people like yourself as well as all of our fellow heps are a great inspiration and help to me.i have alot of r/a also a deterioration which the r/a has decided to set in there also.along time ago the doc gave me some meds for the r/a.then i developed a hyhetis hurnea (no doubt spelled it wrong)so i can't take those meds for pain, do you know of anything that might be of help that i could read up on for the r/a with a person who has hep.your reply will be greatly appreciated.take care
keep the faith, bless you................mj

Hi again mj - I just started taking wobenzym (an enzyme combination) for RA, and it seems to be starting to help. Of course, I started out thinking it would work immediately, but then found that it takes time, like most natural remedies. It is widely used in Germany and can be found online cheaper than in a health food store. When I used to get prescriptions from the doctors, nothing helped. Even with my allergies the drugs only made me sick. Now, as of last season, my allergies are all gone! I can only attribute it to my diet and the supps I take.

I am not the one who posted about high levels after inhaling fumes, but I have heard about how they can fluctuate.

God bless. Karolyn

MJ, you have the double whammy!

I have read some on Bromelain. Its derived from pineapple and is good for your joints and not harmful to the liver. Also have used Flax seed oil which is good for the joints and liver. My husband has osteoarthritis so I have him on some supplements. For him its bromelain, flax seed oil (capsules), spiralina(very good for liver)cherry fruit extract (for gout), vitamin E, B complex, and selenium and zinc. I know I am forgetting something but when I load his pill vials tonight I'll write it down.

Green leafy veggies also very good like kale, spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts. I started juicing now so it makes it a lot easier to get your servings in drinking them. Organic is always better, more expensive but better.

Do you have any osteoarthritis setting in? I'll look at my books and see what I can find but please be sure to check with an herbalist also.
Take care MJ
Jeannie

hi Kackles
was looking through my files last night(enzymes),we redid a bedroom set 2 years ago, that was the month that my enzymes jumped to 125(alt).i kinda figured that they would jump because of the fumes, and they did.i keep a close eye on fumes now that's for sure.we need to do some painting. time to put the mask on hehe.thanks so much for your reply .i will check out wobenzym .thanks again!
keep the faith, bless you............mj

hi jemah
thanks for your reply,between you &kackles, now i have something to go on, and i will begin searching soon(reading up on it).thank's sooo much!
it was never mentioned to me about osteoarthritis,but the pain is tremendouse.i was in a bad car accident(comma 2 weeks),the driver was doing 95 mph,the road was under construction and went from pavement onto gravel, the car rolled a few times then smacked into a tree. that was back in/73(teenagers joy riding)we were.then i was in a very bad abusive (mental and physical)marriage, alot of casts, broken bones etc.in fact one of those beatings put me in the hospital and i was transfused with the tainted blood /82,i have the documantation on file(operative reports, blood,etc)that was how i contracted the hep.here i go venting.but that part of my life was left behind when i moved away . now i'm married to my husband 12 years this july, but lived togrther for 4.and i might add that we are very compatable,and 16 years later as happy as we were when we got married.
anyhow i developed a spinal deterioration and over the years the r/arthritis had set in.however i will certainly look into the info that you shared with me . once again thank's soooo much.
keep the faith, bles you...............mj