Another IRON thread

I've always read that iron is a BIG No No for Hep-C.

Can anyone think of a scenario where a Dr would actually recommend iron supplements?

Thanks

[Bill1954]

There are literally hundreds of threads in the Medhelp archives on this topic; try the search box at the top of this page:

http://www.medhelp.org/search/expanded?cat=posts&query=hcv+iron

Bill

[virgocharm]

if your homoglobin is low, they would put you on iron. i going through it right now. cant start tx until it goes up. i was at 9.8. they want it at 12

[GoodByeHepC]

Bll1954 wrote:
"There are literally hundreds of threads in the Medhelp archives on this topic..."

Thanks Bill. I know. That's why I named my thread "Another IRON thread". But I have not read anything on the forum which answers my specific question.
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virgocham wrote:
"if your homoglobin is low, they would put you on iron. i going through it right now. cant start tx until it goes up..."

Thanks virgocham.
I was actually asking about Iron while ON treatment.
Maybe I should rephrase my question.

Can anyone think of a scenario where a Dr would actually recommend iron supplements while ON treatmen?

Thanks

[Bill1954]

I’m not very knowledgeable on this subject, and I’m certainly not a doctor or medical professional: however, I believe that HCV patients often tend to have iron storage problems. An ‘iron studies’ test should yield enough info for the doctor to determine if supplemental iron is necessary. Iron is an essential trace mineral; and is required to transport oxygen to tissue.

More info on these tests is available from lab tests online:

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/iron/glance.html

For example; if a patient’s hemoglobin is reduced due to hemolytic anemia and requires Rx intervention with epo, I believe it’s important to ***** available iron and adjust if necessary. Epoetin (Procrit, Epex, etc.)  will not work properly without sufficient iron stores.

From the manufacturer:

http://www.procrit.com/procrit/shared/OBI/PI/ProcritBooklet.pdf

“Prior to initiation of therapy, the patient’s iron stores should be evaluated. Transferrin saturation should be at least 20% and ferriton at least 100 ng/mL. Blood pressure should be adequately controlled prior to initiation of PROCRIT® therapy, and must be closely monitored and controlled during therapy.”

This is one instance where a doctor might insist on supplemental dietary iron; I’m sure there are others.

Ask your doctor what he based his decision on in regards to additional iron; this is one scenario that comes to mind. In my mind the equation “HCV + iron = bad” is a simplistic concept, and is patently false.

Best—

Bill

[Bill1954]

***** = assess

[drofi]

if you have low iron

[Trinity4]

My case was not the norm because I had to be treated for PCT prior to tx.  My ferritin level was very high and until the level was reduced through plebotomy, I was not allowed to treat.  The doctor explained that too much iron definitely reduces your chances of clearing the virus. Iron is a key compenent in the virus ability to replicate.  I would not think any type of iron therapy during tx is a good idea.  
Trin

[Trinity4]

correction:  I would think any type of iron therapy during tx is NOT a good idea.
Gotta love that Riba
Trin

[Marcia2202]

Thanks for starting this discussion... I'm so interested in the subject.

Marcia

[drofi]

here is a new review about hepatitis and iron (fulltext):

Abstract  

Increasing evidence exists that iron overload, a common finding in chronic
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, plays an important role in the
pathophysiology of this disease.
The mechanisms by which iron excess induces liver damage along with the
benefit of iron depletion via phlebotomy on biochemical and histological
outcomes in patients with chronic HCV infection have been discussed in this
review.
Finally, we focus on the effect of iron reduction on the rate of response to
interferon antiviral therapy.


FULL-TEXT  
http://www.springerlink.com/content/v822q28295h16632/fulltext.pdf

[CoWriter]

Bill is right.  Iron won't help the hemolytic anemia caused by the Ribavirin....but if you're prescribed Procrit and you don't have enough iron stores, the Procrit won't work.  So in that case you would need to take an iron supplement.

Another reason for needing iron during treatment would be to treat the anemia caused by blood loss.  For example if you need to have surgery of any kind and end up loosing too much blood.  Anemia from blood loss is treated with iron and folic acid.

And yes, I know people who had surgery in the middle of treatment....or lost too much blood from bleeding hemorrhoids.....or from menstruation (interferon can cause increase bleeding).

Hey....you asked....LOL