what exactly does your genotype tell you?

[kerri81]

2 wks ago I tested positive (according to my results) for acute hep.c. At that time my ALT was 409 and AST 189. I was sent back this past mon. for blood work to get my viral load and genotype. It came back today that I am 1a, viral load 355,000 my AST is now 132 and ALT 283 so they have came down. None of my other labs such as bilirubin,WBC etc. were abnormal just liver enzymes. Can anyone help me with understanding this info.? What does my genotype mean and viral load as far as treatment? I caleed Dr. office but wont talk to me until appt. on the 17th.

[friole]

Yep me and fisheress will be done the same time.  I hear she's throwing a big pool party.....

[GoofyDad]

It seems that catching it early and treating right away are key. Note that most of us have had Hep C for many years. If treating now is your plan, you probably want to react quickly. Don't let those Docs drag their feet. On the other hand, waiting could be a viable alternative. It looks like there are much more tollerable treatments on the horizon (currently in trials for fda  approval). Of course ther's no guarantee they will make it through to approval either. Good luck to you.

[GoofyDad]

<i>I imagine we will feel you jumping up and down the first part of August.</i>

and at the pool party no less.... So great that you're closing in on it. You done good Beannie!

[thatgirl67]

My genotype (4) is somewhat stubborn and requires a year treatment too but after 13 weeks of tx, its working really good. So each person is different. When someone tells you your geno type is stubborn, try to remember everyone reacts differently and you may just be the one that works well.

[jmjm530]

I read somewhere about good results for treating acute cases. Treatment, I believe is different, monotherapy instead of combo threapy and shorter. But first, you have to sure that this is really acute and not chronic.  The other thing is that acute cases sometimes resolve on their own, but not the majority. Ask your doctor about all this at your visit.

-- Jim

[FlGuy]

Only 4 weeks left. That's great.  You can now say it ends 'next month'. Way to hang in there, it's been a long haul.  Good for you.

[bobbyullc]

question,

does "ACUTE HEP C" mean it was just recently contracted? as opposed to 'CRONIC" being us who have had it for 37 years?????
thanks,
bobby

i was interested in the comment that you may treat with peg only.

[friole]

Here is a good site for general information on genotypes

http://janis7hepc.com/Genotypes.htm

This I also found regarding the treatment for acute hep C:

"Most studies of treatment for acute hepatitis C were conducted over ten years ago using conventional interferon given three times per week. From the data, it appears that at least six months of interferon therapy should be offered. Sustained responses were seen in about 60 to 80% of treated patients with acute hepatitis C. Therefore, at this time, it makes sense to treat patients who have acute hepatitis C with at least a six month course of pegylated interferon, with or without ribavirin"

I am sorry about your diagnosis but it sounds like the best thing is to go ahead and treat now--you may be able to do the 24 weeks of treatment (without ribavirin) instead of the 48 week combination treatment which is standard for geno 1.  Also that 60-80% sustained response percentage is great.

frijole
58yof, 1a, bx g1/s1, pre treatment vl 1.52million IU/mL, clear since week 20, now on week 52/56

[friole]

FL - yep - 4 more shots.  August 4 is last shot, so August 11 last riba.  THe countdown is on.  My fear right now, is that I am not going to feel any different when I am done.  I know it is just a fear, but after a year, this does feel normal.  And here you are getting ready to crank up again..  I think I read you have another appt in August.  I know you did want to start bak in Sept. - guess you really won't know until this next consult.

bobby - yes, I think acute means you just contacted it and if left untreated and you don't clear thru your own immune system it turns chronic.  How are you feeling?  Is the skin getting a little less sun sensitive?

[FlGuy]

You'll be dipping your toe in the 'new' normal in just about 6 weeks, maybe sooner.  That's a nice time of year to feel better.

[Pdilly]

Gosh so close.  I imagine we will feel you jumping up and down the first part of August.

[NYgirl]

This site has the answer to just about EVERY QUESTION you might think of.  It's a very good place to start understanding and helped me a LOT.

http://janis7hepc.com/

[niceguy2007]

if u have acute hcv, ur lucky!  you may wait for a month or two and see if it goes away by itself.

oh, i suggest you take milk thistle right away, it may help to reduce or even eliminate the virus in thsi acute stage!

or, try homeopathic milk thistle treatment:

all products from Scwhabe labs, Germany

Carduus Marianuus Pentarkan
Lycopodium 30
China 30
Chelidonium 30
Nux vomica 30
Natrum Sulf 6x

all 4 times a day!

[way]

Probably everyone else is in bed by now.

I've only been treating for 5 weeks but I will give you the quick answers.

Genotype is the particular strain of the virus you have. The reason it is so important is because it determines how long you must treat. Most American people(?) are 1a and that is the most common genotype. Treatment is for 48 weeks, it is the hardest to clear and I think the most frequent for relapse. I am 2b and treating for only 24 weeks.

Viral load is how many copies of the virus you have per ml of blood. It's really no indication of how bad or long the disease has progressed. The next step is a biopsy and that will tell you what grade and stage of liver damage you have. Then you and your doctor can make the treatment decisions.

The only treatment that is proven is interferon/ribaviren combination. Interferon is a once a week shot and daily ribaviren.

Hope this helps for now I need to go to bed to I work  early.