I posted an article on 8/25 that addresses the issue of normal ALT levels.
Treatment options and opinions seem to change constantly in the treatment of
HCV.

This is just my personal opinion (which is worth less than the paper it's
written on), but if I was in your shoes, I'd go for it.  If you're in good
shape, why not fight tooth and nail to stay that way?!  It might be a good
idea to wait until you have all the final numbers before deciding to take
the plunge, but it's sure not going to go away all by itself.

The 'correct and sound' decision can only be made after reviewing your
lab and biopsy results.  Be patient, you'll get your chance to do battle
with the dragon.
Elmo  

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

You don't sound needy and everyone was in the same boat when
they started.  Whether to delay the start of tx or not is a wholly
personal decision.  One you won't want to make until you
know your genotype, viral load and biopsy results.
If waiting is an option than you need to take into account
that tx does take an emotional and physical toll on a lot of
people.  You need to be ready to handle it just in case.
When I was diagnosed I didn't think I was in the right place
emotionally or financially to take it.  I was right <G>  but
when I finally did start it was for the same reason you brought up.
Company paid insurance programs are being cut all over the
place and I wanted to get it done when I could.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best and with any luck
you won't need all those plans :-)

Again...you really can't make any good decision until you
have all of the information so relax, and cross your fingers
for type 2.

AG

Hi Dale,
We were all in your shoes at one time. You are asking a valid question.
I started tx (treatment) for the same reasons that you stated. I made it
for 6 weeks before being taken off. I changed doctors after that, and have
had 3 doctors since tell me that I didn't need to treat right now, that I
have little to no liver damage and can wait for a user freindly treatment
if one is ever approved. We are losing our insurance soon as my husband is
on disability.  
So I am monitoring this beast for now and if I make a turn for the worse I
will have do some more thinking.
Nothing is ever easy. Get your results and talk it over with your doc and
everyone else that is close to you in your life. Do your research and
learn as much as possible about this dragon and stay with this group.
Remember that the only stupid question is the one that you don't ask.
Sue

I was diagnosed in '97 with hepc/cirhossis. I was too far gone for
Interferon. I had to wait 7 yrs for my disease to progress enough so
that I could be transplanted. If I had been able to go in Int/Ribo I
would have. Do ANYTHING to eradicate it from your body even if there is
40% chance of cure.

Transplantation is a beautiful thing and it redeems you physically, but
there are many challenges to get there, testing, matching, staying
alive till you can get one, hepc c will return, etc. SO try to fight it
as best you can now. Maybe it can eradicate it or slow it down until a
better traeatment comes along.

Allen LTX (hepc) 7/9/04 UCSF - Live Donor - Surgeons: Roberts/Ascher
(The dream team!)