hepatitis c

i am a pakistani women 54 years old hcv positive diagnosed at the time of my investigation for coronary angioplastay in november 2005.my angioplastay has been done for single vessel disease.alanine aminotransfrase ALT normal without increase in total bilirubin level.positively for hcv rna by pcr genotype 3a.imune response is maximal at the on set of infection.my lipid profile is normal.all investigations including USG abdominal are normal. my platelets are between 150 to 140.it is may be due to low platelet or not?acorrding to your opinion what should be my treatment?

[jmjm530]

First, you want to make sure you have hepatitis c. Do you know if you were tested for the hepatitis c antibodies or the virus itself? It is possible to have the antibodies but not have the virus. If you don't have the virus, then you don't have to treat. A good liver specialist would be able to help here.

Second, you want to find out what genotype of hepatitis c you have. This is a simple blood test you may already have taken. If not, you need it. Genotype is one of the most important factors in determining your course of treatment.

Third, you probably want a biopsy, if that is the practice of the doctors in Pakistan. If not, you may want to go elsewhere for one, if finances and logistics allow. If you can't get a biopsy, you probably want to get evaluated for cirrhosis by endoscophy, ultrasound, and blood tests.

By the way, you don't have to start a new thread, every time you answer a question here. Instead of replying with "Post A Question" at the top of the page, much better to reply with the "Post Comment" button at the bottom of the thread you are reading right now.

All the best luck.

-- Jim

[Mister beagle bailey]

I feel we haven't talked for so long. How are you doing? How are you doing after your shot today?

Beagle

[NYgirl]

I agree with the above statements.  First off you do need to find out if you actually HAVE hepC.  You could have had it at one point and your body could have killed it off.  20% of the people who "get" it do kill it.

If you do have it though, finding out your biopsy results if you can get them will help you determine if you need to treat this aggressively or if you have time to wait for the newer drugs which might be easier and more effective.

And Jim is correct - all you have to do is look below and hit the button.  That is how we respond.  :)

I wish you the best of luck with all of this.  I know it's not easy but if you do have it it's manageable.

[Duaa Malik]

hi, my all liver reports are normal and ultra sound is also perfectly alright so my doctor states that there is no need of liver biopsy but he has recomended the injection named as Referon-a should i start the treatment?will there b any complications?will this treatment cure my disease 100%?