Did any one start out with a low Interferon dosage

[abdelghany]

Due to low hemoglobin (11.0) I was started out with a low dosage of interferon (135).  Did anyone else start with a lower dosage of interferon?

[orphanedhawk]

"It is better to start treatment lower and increase verse decreasing at a later date."

I would agree with this statement if you added two words~ for some.

Unfortunately hep C and hep C treatment doesn't fit into any standardized box of rules. It makes it very frustrating for patients.

Your health issues are different than most. Its' good you have a doctor willing to adjust the meds to your specific needs.

As a small person, sensitive to meds in general and genotype 2,  I probably could have done 90 mcg for the whole tx and been fine~ maybe.
Instead we opted to begin with the full dosage of 180, I dropped it to 135 at 10 weeks and down to 90 at 18weeks. It worked for me but I would not recommend anyone doing as I have done.

Yes, please let us know how it all turns out.

[abdelghany]

Thanks for the comments and questions.

I do not know where I found the answer but it makes since.  We really do not know what dosage will clear the virus.  The more the better but who is to say what that more is.  135mg could well be enough.  

It is better to start treatment lower and increase verse decreasing at a later date.  

I have thallasemia trait.  A tricky little blood condition that makes your hemoglobin look less than it actually is.  So, even though I started at 11, I could have been a 13.  But unfortunantly we can only go by what we see.

My doctor  has me doing weekly CBCs.  I will keep you posted about my viral load count with reduced dosage of Interferon.  

[Bill200]

I have started on on low dosage.  The thing is you're not as rist to develop resistance to INF and Riba unlike the PIs (Teleprevir Boceprevir) so I would say it's okay.

[orphanedhawk]

I was told of an experimental treatment with a cirrhotic patient that began with very low doses, and slowly increased as treatment progressed.
He cleared the virus but still need a transplant due to extensive liver damage.

We had one forum member whose dosage was reduced after week one down to 90 and was und at week 4.

My opinion is it's all a crap shoot.  Probably many of us could do with less interferon but to ensure the most likely chance of curing, doctors keep us on a maximum dosage.

[desrt]

I think I remember someone doing 90 mcg. of Pegasys, but they were pretty petite, if that's what the OP meant by "a lower dosage of interferon".

[desrt]

Thanks for asking that. I was wondering what the 'answer' was too. I was underdosed for the first 6 weeks due to a nurse's mistake, but since I was on Peg-Intron and the OP's "135 mcg." indicates (s)he's probably on Pegasys, I didn't think it relevant.

[frijole]

I am glad you found that answer but what was the answer?  You say that your HGB was only 11 when you started treatment?  Do you know why -- was it an iron issue or what?  

[abdelghany]

One should search before they ask.  lol  I found the answer.