Genotype ? 2 or 2a ,2b

Hello, my LabCorp test results sat I have Genotype 2 . Are there 3 subtypes of geno 2 In other words 2, 2a and 2b ? My gastro said it is just 2 ?

[Mr Liver]

First off, let me say how much I loved your work on SNL.
So far, there are just 2 subtypes for genotype 2. So 2a and 2b are it. The two subtypes are not known to have any statistically significant differences in clearance rates.

Mr Liver

[CockSparrow]

There are actually quite a few G2 subtypes. 2a through to 2q http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2005/ad/093005_s.html
In the US 2a & 2b are the common G2 subtypes.
The reason your lab said just G2 is that sometimes it is a liitle difficult to accurately determine the subypye with the tests used, so it comes back as just the geno.
CS

[Mr.Bill]

Thanks, for your replies this was my first post .

[Pdilly]

I am 2a and 2c.  Treated for 6 months and now 4 months post.

[Mr.Bill]

I've had hep C for about 35 years . I've been taking milk thistle extract for about 10 years . All milk thistle is not created equal . I have a good friend who is a herbalist and wildcrafter. He switched me to HerbPharms" Healthy Liver Tonic" in Jan 07 and told me long ago that liquid extracts are much better for you . My first viral load test was in Dec 06 it was 97,400 Last month it was 25,500. My alt 138,  ast 97 ,  in Jan 07. Last month alt 60 ast 46. I also stopped drinking a couple of beers a night on weekends. and have improved my already mostly vegetarian diet going to more organics and trying to alkaline my system . My gastro dr. wants me to tx.My biopsy was 1.5 to 2. At this point I think I'll wait to treat at least until I see that the natural things aren't improving my numbers anymore.

[ladybug52]

Wow. I had no idea. I only knew I was genotype 2 and in my ignorance thought "a 2 is a 2". Is the SVR rate the same for all 2's? I guess there's no data on that, unless you are going to surprise me again!
Bug

[pigeonca]

I asked my hepatologist about this.  She said, "2 is 2."  Cryptical, but probably true.  They're basically the same as far as treatment goes.

[CockSparrow]

There is one study i read that indicated that 2a was more difficult than 2b/2c but really 2 is 2. Well up to about 2d anyway. No idea about the other subtypes from e-q as most of them are in Africa.
CS