confused on whether to take treatment

[resonator]

I'm genotype 1 I have had hep c for 35 yrs. enzyme levels are 4x normal but still unsure of interferon treatment . Has anyone tried reducing iron levels thru bloodletting (unsure of medical term) There is a link between high iron levels and hepc . By eliminating 2 pints of blood every 2 weeks it brings down the iron levels and possibly enzyme readings. Anybody tried it? Thanks

[buzz01]

Resonator, Have you had a liver biopsy?  If yes, how long ago was it? What stage are you?  If not, you should get one. The condition of your liver should be a major determining factor of whether or not to treat.  Elevated liver enzymes alone do not dictate the need for treatment nor provide a picture of the possible damage to your liver. Only a biopsy can do that.  

Also, Re: your comment “There is a link between high iron levels and hepc .”  Just so we are all clear, High Iron levels DO NOT cause Hep C.  Hep C is a blood to blood disease only acquired through blood to blood contact.  High Iron Level can cause additional damage to an individual with a compensated liver. Your GI doc should be monitoring your iron levels.

[resonator]

Thanks for your info. My naturopath wants me to have phlebotomy treatment.My doc doesn't think their that high ( over 300) the hepatoligist just wants to start treatment and doesn't have much time for talking to a layman ( i found most specialists like that) Next week I will try to talk doc into it and delay treatment.

[Trinity4]

I am on phlebotomy treatment now due to high ferritin level.  I also have porphyria cutanea tarda which is the liver's inability to process iron basically.  My doc wants to lower iron levels before I tx for the hepc.  They take a pint of blood every week and he said it will take about 9 weeks or sooner if levels become acceptable.  I was hoping to tx and have the phlebotomy at the same time but the riba usually causes anemia and he did not want to take any chances.  Many people with hepc have high iron and ferritin levels and it is advantageous to reduce the levels prior to tx.  I don't know what affect this has on the enzyme levels but I have read enough to know I want to give myself every opportunity available to enable a successful tx and hopefully one day post on this forum I have my SVR.  I'm a 1a and stage 3 fibrosis so I want to tx while I still have something left to treat!!  As far as being unsure about the interferon treatment that would depend on how much damage liver damage you have.  It's a personal decision but for me it's the only option I have.  Best of luck to you
Trinity  

[resonator]

Thank you. I'm going to try it. Nothing to lose except some blood nodody wants! lol

[wyntre9]

I believe that's called phlebotomy.

Here is a recent post that mentioned the procedure.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/384741

wyntre