VL results and GT

[1oftheclub222]

So I picked up my test results and I have a VL of 2.4 million and I am a GT 2B.  2B is not so horrible is it?  I mean doesn't it have a higher rate of having the treatment work, and maybe a shorter time of treatment?  Or is that all dependant on what the biopsy says?  I go to the hep doctor tomorrow for my first visit.

[can-do-man]

I also agree with what will has said, sometimes just bloodwork and a exam can give a doctor a good ideal if cirrhosis is present........ If one must have Hep-C, type 2 is the one to have........... Best to you.

[1oftheclub222]

it would drive me crazy not to know...I would feel there was a piece of the puzzel missing...Personally I want to know exactly where I am at, i think that is the only thing would give me piece of mind...otherwise I might imagine I have all the liver failure symptoms, ha...that would be much worse for me to be left to my imagination...

I wonder if insurance gives the doctors a harder time for payment if you are genotype 2 or 3?

[willbb]

Personally I would want a biopsy,however
Some treating doctors feel the risk vs. benefit of doing biopsy on G2  and  3"s is somewhat of an unnecessary step. If the doctor and patient collectively decide that treatment is going to be started ,given the fact the odds of success are excellent ,the invasive procedure of biopsy may not be necessary. On the other hand if the patient does not want to treat for a variety of reasons then many doctors would feel a biopsy relevant or possibly the less invasive tests ..Fibrotest or Fibroscan which are non -invasive..

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0026783


Similarly, the 2009 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guideline recommends liver biopsy in making treatment decisions [1]. However, it recognizes the usefulness of non-invasive tests in defining the presence or absence of advanced fibrosis. Both of the guidelines agree that liver biopsy is not necessary in managing genotype 2 or 3 patients, since their treatment success rate is substantially higher than genotype 1 patients.
  
Best...
Will
.

[1oftheclub222]

why would the doctor not want to know if there is any or how severe the damage is to your liver?

[willbb]

Also meant to mention ..there are some trials going on currently with the new meds  treating G2 ,however nothing is approved yet for use clinically.
Something you may want to discuss with your doctor..
Good luck

Will

[willbb]

Yes....2b  indeed does have generally a higher cure rate than type1.
The SVR rate is approx. 80% for G2.and also as important you would only have to do the combo therapy of INF./ RIBA for usually 24 weeks.

Biopsy is often not even done with G2, because of the high success rate,however that is a decsion one would make with advice from your doctor.
All and all..good news..
Best Will