cryoglobulin levels indicate what?

My hep doc said my last tests came back with a cryoglobulin level of 900,000.  Told me that was elevated but can go on with tx next month.  Can I get a "simple" explanation on what this is from you guys? What becomes a "high" level? If you develope Cryglobulinemia can you still treat?

G

[mycoldfeet]

Cryo is a natural antibody that traps the virus instead of killing it outright. The problem with Cryo is that the more virus it traps in it's weblike formation, the more it interferes with blood flow especially in the legs and feet. When you start tx and the virus leval drops, so does the bodies release of the antibody. I had it or have it but 99% of my symptoms dissapeared by week eight. Hope this helps explain it without going technical.

[MissMiss]

Hello,

Can you explain "cryoglobulin level of 900,000".  Cryo is measured in %'s and any cryo is not normal, no matter how few. The test is rather tricky and if it isn't done correctly, it is useless. There are three types of cryo and only two types that go along with HCV.

Do you have any symptoms you can attribute to cryo?

The theory is to rid yourself of the virus and the cryo should go away too.  Let us know.

miss

[MissMiss]

You still have cryo being SVR?  Wow!  Have they typed your cryo, I, II or III?  What is the cryo %?  Are you RF positive?  Please tell me more!

FYI- I was cryo positive about half way thru tx, didn't know to check before.  Now, EOT it is negative.  I am also RF negative. 3 mo post tx and und at 1 mo post.

miss

[rentapen]

cryoglobulin is the reason I treated. Thought I was old man of 45 and finally tested for cold joint (cryo). Then he tested for hep, bingo treated twice, 3a and svr 7 months now but still have cryo and high sed rate. These readings will last a while.
rent

[rentapen]

Got me hangin. After my gp found the cryo and c he transfered me to a gastro, back then I didn't know about getting records and MH and finding out details, and I started pegintron and their phone updates. After svr my thyroid went out, I'am hypothyroid hypoglicemic carpel tunnel, nerve damage in all extremines and my best friend is Brian G. Fogg. Right now I'm figuring how to live and I'll worry about the other stuff later. Its all good.
rent

[MissMiss]

So sorry to hear you still have such problems.  Has anyone suggested Rituxum(sp) usage?  There is a group on yahoo for cryo and the few who have tried it are having some good success.  Some of these folks just tear my heart out with their stories and there is a lot to learn from them.  

A couple of us here have posed concerns about cryo to HepatitusResearcher and are hoping he finds the time for a comment or two.  Cryo raises the concern for a relapse unless it becomes negative before EOT and there really is a lot to learn about the condition.  

Do stick around and share more about yourself and cryo when you feel up to it.  With carpal tunnel it has to be hard to type sometimes. Hang in there!  

miss

[rentapen]

As of right now in my daily bucket for cyro I got naprosyn, high clo zocor, sleep ambien, ecoltrin triple bypass, finger & toes lyrica & lidoderm patches, life paxil & xanax, thyroid synthroid, bp lopressor + otc stuff. I'll go looking for more after I get these ironed out.
lifes good.
rent