Viral Load, Enzymes, worries, etc.

I has diag'd with hepc two weeks ago... Here are some test results I've gathered (some pre-diagnosis).....

11/96 ALT 150
AST 40

2/97 ALT 236
AST 91

7/2000 ALT 186
AST 86

8/2000 ALT 196
AST 75
PCR 616,000 copies

So I'm thoroughly alarmed at that last number. I presumably caught the virus in 1996 via IV drugs (gave them up in late 1997.) I'm 25 years old.

I have a good doc, and my genotype isn't back.

What concerns me is that I have consistently high ALT levels, and the viral load is high. I understand the disease usually takes a while to become chronic and cause elevated levels-- it seems I skipped that stage, or at least it passed very quickly.

So... They say my genotype will be back after _another_ long week of waiting.

I've heard about people using milk thistle as treatment? should I try this? Also, anything I need
to be watching in terms of food?

Thanks,
Graham
gstreet@bellsouth.net

• Re: Viral Load, Enzymes, worries, etc. thanbey 11:33:18 8/20/00 (0)