To Bill1954

Yes my docter suggest me to start treatment with interferon . No I dont know about my genotype. What is it, Pleas tell me something about it .yes my platelets count is 21300/mm3 . Bill Plese tell me that can i start my treatment later because i dont have enough money to spent on it . Can i start treatment after 2 or 3 months ?Please answer I m Waiting for your reply .................

[Bill1954]

Hello again Waqas—

The genotype of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) is important; it tells us how long we have to do treatment for, as well as how well the treatment drugs might work.

Can you tell us more about you? How old are you? What country do you live in? Some countries have predominant genotypes of HCV.

Your platelets are very low; platelets help our blood clot. Sometimes the interferon can cause platelet reduction itself; you should discuss your platelet level with a doctor or course, prior to any treatment. Low platelets counts can also be attributed to advanced liver disease as well; it is important to resolve this first.

If the low platelet count is not due to advanced liver disease; it might be possible to wait for HCV treatment; a biopsy can help with this decision; has your doctor advised for liver biopsy?

Good luck—

Bill

[jusjames]

is that plattlet count 21.3?  
i have not seen it expressed as mm/3  before, thanks

[mikesimon]

I believe that it is 21,000 per cubic millimeter of blood.
A normal platelet counts ranges from  approximately 150,000 to 400,000 per mm3 (cubic millimeter) of blood.

[jusjames]

ok so in English 21 when should be 150 -400 , yikes that is low!
normaly here tx would be stopped at 50  

thanks

[Marcia2202]

It could also translate to 213, Mike. I doubt her doc would advise her to treat if it was that low.


Waqas.... If it is okay for you to treat, I don't see why putting it off for a few months should be a problem. Where do you live and why haven't they checked your genotype?

[jusjames]

21300 equates to 21.3 i think  150000 = 150 ,
does seem very low indeed

[Marcia2202]

Yes, that would definitely be extremely low...