Aa
can these be treated in sync?
i have grade 3 stage 4 hep c ,biopsy report states,hepatic architecture is distorted by bridging bands of fibrosis and parenchymal nodule formation.moderate portal,lobular and interface hepatitis.the inflamatory infiltrate consists primarily of lymphocytes.focal macrovesicular fatty change is noted.just found out today that i also have hemochromatosis.can these be treated in sync?
Wow, I'm so glad o checked this one out. I have hepc and a few days ago I started taking vitamins with iron because it seems to make me feel better. Guess I better stop taking them until I talk to my hep dr in sept. I am so glad I found this forum. I have learned so much over the past few days than I did in the 2yrs since I was diagnosed I hope some day I can be as helpful to someone as much as you guys have been for me.
Hector - thanks for that. While I don't have hemachromotosis, I do have the bridging stage 4 stuff. Monzorb, IDK where you are in diagnosis n tx, but when I first started researching online, I was paralyzed w/ fear. This information can be used to seek out and communicate with the specialists who can help you. It's dizzying when you are sick and you can't see the disease that's getting you. Please hang in there. With the right tx, there is always hope. Karen :)
Did you have chronic hepatitis C?
You have Stage 4/cirrhosis liver disease. As fibrotic liver diseases advance, disease progression from collagen bands to bridging fibrosis and frank cirrhosis occurs. If you are to treat hepatitis C you should treat sometime soon as at some point you will be too ill to treat your hepatitis.
Yes, you can and should have both of these aspects of liver disease treated at the same time. You need to see a liver specialist. A hepatologist. Any other type of doctor is not qualified to treat you. They are experienced in treating patients with cirrhosis and hemochromatosis. There are hepatologist at liver transplant centers and other University medical teaching hospitals.
National Digestive Diseases
Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemochromatosis/#info
"Hemochromatosis is the most common form of iron overload disease.
Primary hemochromatosis, also called hereditary hemochromatosis, is an inherited disease. It is caused by a defect in a gene called HFE.
Secondary hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other disorders.
Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30.
Hemochromatosis causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up in the body's organs and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause the liver, heart, and pancreas to fail.
What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis?
oint pain is the most common complaint of people with hemochromatosis. Other common symptoms include fatigue, lack of energy, abdominal pain, loss of sex drive, and heart problems. However, many people have no symptoms when they are diagnosed.
How is hemochromatosis treated?
Treatment is simple, inexpensive, and safe. The first step is to rid the body of excess iron. This process is called phlebotomy, which means removing blood the same way it is drawn from donors at blood banks. Based on the severity of the iron overload, a pint of blood will be taken once or twice a week for several months to a year, and occasionally longer. Blood ferritin levels will be tested periodically to monitor iron levels. The goal is to bring blood ferritin levels to the low end of normal and keep them there. Depending on the lab, that means 25 to 50 micrograms of ferritin per liter of serum.
Once iron levels return to normal, maintenance therapy begins, which involves giving a pint of blood every 2 to 4 months for life. Some people may need phlebotomies more often. An annual blood ferritin test will help determine how often blood should be removed. Regular follow-up with a specialist is also necessary.
If treatment begins before organs are damaged, associated conditions—such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes—can be prevented. The outlook for people who already have these conditions at diagnosis depends on the degree of organ damage. For example, treating hemochromatosis can stop the progression of liver disease in its early stages, which leads to a normal life expectancy. However, if cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, has developed, the person's risk of developing liver cancer increases, even if iron stores are reduced to normal levels."
Good luck.
Hector
You have Stage 4/cirrhosis liver disease. As fibrotic liver diseases advance, disease progression from collagen bands to bridging fibrosis and frank cirrhosis occurs. If you are to treat hepatitis C you should treat sometime soon as at some point you will be too ill to treat your hepatitis.
Yes, you can and should have both of these aspects of liver disease treated at the same time. You need to see a liver specialist. A hepatologist. Any other type of doctor is not qualified to treat you. They are experienced in treating patients with cirrhosis and hemochromatosis. There are hepatologist at liver transplant centers and other University medical teaching hospitals.
National Digestive Diseases
Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemochromatosis/#info
"Hemochromatosis is the most common form of iron overload disease.
Primary hemochromatosis, also called hereditary hemochromatosis, is an inherited disease. It is caused by a defect in a gene called HFE.
Secondary hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other disorders.
Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30.
Hemochromatosis causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up in the body's organs and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause the liver, heart, and pancreas to fail.
What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis?
oint pain is the most common complaint of people with hemochromatosis. Other common symptoms include fatigue, lack of energy, abdominal pain, loss of sex drive, and heart problems. However, many people have no symptoms when they are diagnosed.
How is hemochromatosis treated?
Treatment is simple, inexpensive, and safe. The first step is to rid the body of excess iron. This process is called phlebotomy, which means removing blood the same way it is drawn from donors at blood banks. Based on the severity of the iron overload, a pint of blood will be taken once or twice a week for several months to a year, and occasionally longer. Blood ferritin levels will be tested periodically to monitor iron levels. The goal is to bring blood ferritin levels to the low end of normal and keep them there. Depending on the lab, that means 25 to 50 micrograms of ferritin per liter of serum.
Once iron levels return to normal, maintenance therapy begins, which involves giving a pint of blood every 2 to 4 months for life. Some people may need phlebotomies more often. An annual blood ferritin test will help determine how often blood should be removed. Regular follow-up with a specialist is also necessary.
If treatment begins before organs are damaged, associated conditions—such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes—can be prevented. The outlook for people who already have these conditions at diagnosis depends on the degree of organ damage. For example, treating hemochromatosis can stop the progression of liver disease in its early stages, which leads to a normal life expectancy. However, if cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, has developed, the person's risk of developing liver cancer increases, even if iron stores are reduced to normal levels."
Good luck.
Hector
I just had my liverbiopsy in march at the university of michigan with professor askari. i have stage 5 liver fibrosis and awaiting treatment combination hopefully before the end of the year. I can only tell you what has worked for me, i have found a vitaman combination of immune building and joint restoration vitamans i found at gnc health stores. and i walk everyday for the pain in my legs, my levels r better now than theyve ever been and ive had hep c for 22 years. good luck to u.
I know hemochromatosis is iron overload. I think the language describing ur biopsy is pretty standard for that grade. Wouldn't they may be treated somewhat the same? My Dr. told me not to take iron supplements because of the liver not being able to process and so it stores iron . I'm gr 4 st 4.
What does ur dr say? Are you seeing a liver specialist? Karen :)
What does ur dr say? Are you seeing a liver specialist? Karen :)
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