Iron

[brianmo]

I know this is something that has been discussed over and over but why don.t they suggest I take iron?  I know I have read somewhere it's not a good idea with hep c but why not?  Just seems with hgb so low that it might help.

Mo

[brianmo]

Thanks everyone, that helps, I understand more now.

Bill1954, nice to see you pop up here!  How are you, seems likes its been awhile since we have heard from you. Hope you are well,

mo

[hondapatches]

Yeah I know, but they don't want you to take iron because it is to hard on your liver. It causes more damage that it does good.

[Bill1954]

The anemia that HCV patients get from treatment (hemolytic anemia) is different than other forms of anemia. Anemia due to iron deficiencies in the blood prevent red blood cells from forming properly. With hemolytic anemia, generally sufficient red cells are formed but they ‘die off’ more rapidly, depleting the blood from a different perspective.

Yes, if drugs like Procrit are required to boost red cell production sufficient iron stores are necessary. But the prescribing doctor will (or should) order an iron study in advance to determine whether supplemental iron is needed, or if the patient has sufficient stores naturally. As HectorSF outlined above, HCV patients have a tendency towards storing too much iron as a result of their infection.

Good luck-

--Bill

[HectorSF]

Patients with chronic liver disease have a tendency to accumulate an excessive amount of iron in their liver. This is especially common with hepatitis C produced liver disease. Too much iron is toxic to the liver. Not a good thing!

Iron has been shown to influence the natural history of hepatitis C virus infection and the response of chronic hepatitis C to treatment. Several studies with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have found a high iron concentration in the liver to be predictive of failure to respond to interferon therapy. Again, not a good thing!

So treatment must be balanced and take account of all parts of the body systems that could be affected by a treatment. While iron may be helpful for some patients with low hemoglobin for patients going on hepatitis C treatment and who have liver disease it can do more harm than good.

Dose reductions of ribavirin is the first means that should be used to raise hemoglobin if you are on triple therapy for hepatitis genotype 1. Then either Procrit or transfusion.

For more info ask your doctor. They know your health status and can explain it to you.

Hector