Hep C genotype 3

[jools57]

Hi, I was diagnosed with hep c 6 weeks ago...went to GI Doc who did an ultrasound of liver and lots of blood work...he said my liver enzymes were normal, iron normal, ultrasound looked good.   The lab work I have shows hepatitis c quantitation 190,000. HCV log10 5.279. Genotype 3. He didnt seem to think i needed a biopsy at this time. He gave me all the side effects of treatment. Scared my husband alot. My next appt. is after the holidays in Jan.2007. should i ask for a biopsy before starting tx? My Dr. didnt seem like I needed to. My thought was to start tx in June after school is out. I'll have the summer off. Any thoughts on necessity of biopsy? Thanks and God bless.

[GoofyDad]

Goof: PS We have a member here named forseegood. She can discern alot about your health from the state of your stools.

Algie: I agree with ET that Goof says.

Forsee, sounds like your reputation preced.... errrr... follows you....

Hope you gals are having a great weekend..

[Gaia]

Oh, wow, I was not aware of a genotype 3....I will be having
blood work to determine what genotype mine is.

[jools57]

Thanks again for the info goofydad...I think i will try to see if insurance will pay for the fibrosure test first, and then go for a biopsy if they don't. I do have a GI liver guy, tho he is a PA, not a MD...seems he's does all the Hep C work in the office. I'm going to call him Monday, and find out more about biopsy. Who does it, etc. He didn't seem to think because of my numbers, and bloodwork that I needed to start right away, so that gives me time to process all of my options. Because of the length of time I believe I've carried this thing, I do want to know how much damage has been done.

it is interesting about working with autistic kids...they do seem to know when we are having an off day! One of my reasons for waiting til summer to start treatment. I'm glad it seems like I have the time to do that!

Glad i found this message board too...good to be in a place where others are and have gone thru the journey I'm starting on.

Have an awesome day!
Blessings

[jools57]

Thank you everyone for all of the info...it is alot to absorb,but I have faith and determination to not let this define who I am. Just one more challenge in this life of mine. Praise God!...I am a special education behaviorist, working mostly with kindergarten and first grade autistic children. We have an inclusive classroom and I work one on one with some of the kids in a discreet training trial. Very rewarding, but can be mentally tiring. My Dr. is definitely pro treatment. I was a little surprised he didn't want to do a biopsy. I think I have had Hep C for close to 30 years.I'm 49 this Nov. I had hep B when I was 15, so they did a routine blood test 6 weeks ago and found the C. All my other blood work was good. I'm immune to B, need to be innoculated against A they tell me. The Dr. also mentioned a fibrosure test, but doesn't know if my insurance will pay for it. Anyone know anything about that test? Also since he didn't suggest the biopsy he didn't go into detail of risks involved in that procedure. What are they?
Again thank you for all of your kind words and information. It's nice to be able to share with others experiencing this.
Blessings!

[Morgaina]

Well, I just love your choice of occupations. It's just what I do!. Actually, I have always worked with behavior children, from mainstream to multiply disabled and my last 5 yrs. was with autistic and FASD. Very best years. There wasn't as much inclusion as I would have liked but their difficult moments were a little dangerous. I would love to work in your capacity where your one to one with discreet trials. I couldn't work while treating, my behavior angels can spot a weakness a mile away, it wouldn't have been fair to my staff. Now moved to a inclusive setting in a high school, it's like being on holidays for me. No-one has even tried to bite me! Take care, hang around here, you'll find steady support!

[GoofyDad]

Fibrosure is a non-invasive alternative to a biopsy. Could be a reasonable compromise in your situation. Are you seeing a hepatologist? That's a GI who specializes in livers, and in today's climate that generally means Hep C. Risk of complication of biopsy are slim but real. Less than 1% for complications of consequence would be my guess. Today they guide the needle with a U/S - making it pretty precise, but mistakes happen. Internal bleeding can ensue, yah-da-yah. So little real risk, but it ain't like having a hangnail fixed.