I think an emphasis needs to be made on one point; liver enzymes and hepatic fibrosis do not necessarily correlate; it’s possible to progress to significant liver disease and have normal or near normal liver enzymes (ALT/AST).
I do agree that if treatment is going to be postponed a live biopsy is the best way to determine urgency of treatment.
The current combination of interferon and ribavirin can have differing effects on patients. Personally I managed the treatment relatively well, both from a subjective and hematological standpoint. My biggest single complaint was fatigue, but I did not experience fevers, aches, pains, etc. Granted, it still wasn’t fun, but eminently doable.
There are additional drugs that may b available soon; these will be used in conjunction with the current meds, but may reduce the time needed for treatment, as well as increase the efficacy for genotype I patients. Discuss the availability of the trial drugs ‘Telaprevir’ and ‘Boceprevir’ with the doctor next visit.
I would discuss liver biopsy for my son, and base any treatment decisions on the results.
If you like, read through the following website for more info on HCV:
http://janis7hepc.com/
Open ‘newly diagnosed’ near the top of the page, or click on ‘other HCV information’, located in the right hand margin.
Good luck to you and your family—
Bill
I mostly agree with what HCA has told you. Also, herbasl treatments and supplements can be dangerous for a hepatitis patient. The quality control of these products are not very good and sick livers do not do as well with herbals as someone who has a normal liver.
Fluctuating liver enzymes and even viral loads are a hallmark of hepatitis C and do not mean someone is getting better. If he is genotype 1 he has a 45-50% chance of cure and if he is genotype 2 or 3, he has about a 65% chance of cure. You need to ask your questions to a hep doc.
The key factor is his genotype.
The chances of success are upto 80% for geno 2 and 3,and about 45% for geno 1.
A better treatment for geno 1 will be out in two years.
If the doctors are 'pressing' for you to have him treated,then it's because they think he needs it.
You need to know what level of liver damage he has-the enzymes don't tell you this.
Most people have a biopsy to determine how urgent it is to treat.
Any competent hepatologist will know about the side effects and will not play them down.
If you can fill in any of the info I have mentioned plus his age and lenghth of infection it will be easier to have a view.
There is no scientific evidence of any herbal or altrnative medicine altering the natural history and progression of Hepatitis C.