Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

426 Members

21,304 Posts

0 Online

ImKramer 09/20/2013

Does Hepatitis C Increase Osteoporosis Susceptibility?

September 20, 2013

A health condition that increases the likelihood of fracturing a bone, osteoporosis seems to be more prevalent in those with the Hepatitis C virus. Could it be a coincidence that osteoporosis typically affects those in their golden years and that baby boomers constitute a majority of Hepatitis C infections in the U.S.? Although experts disagree about the relationship between Hepatitis C and osteoporosis, a study cites how those with this common liver virus can protect against osteoporotic bones.
http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/mt/archives/2013/09/does-hepatitis-c-increase-osteoporosis-susceptibility.html

catmagic 09/20/2013

Good article - I have early osteoporosis, called "osteopenia" - so I take my calcium supplements, yes I do! I'm small boned and age 66, so it's not surprising I have this condition, but having HCV I'm sure puts me more at risk. thank you

ImKramer 09/20/2013

Vit D3! be sure you're getting enough ..see your Dr. about it!
It's the low Vit D that HCV can cause.

catmagic 09/20/2013

Oh - I take LOTS of D3 - like about 3,000 I.U.'s a day. My D3 levels are good - labs have been done - but they weren't before I started taking that much of it. thanks, though...

MLTTexas 09/20/2013

I developed osteopenia then osteoporosis since my transplant. So I suppose it could be the transplant, or the HCC, or the "golden years", or all 3. I've been taking calcium since my transplant and I drink almond mild twice a day since I can't have milk products. Medicare doesn't cover osteoporosis meds. I'm small boned too, so I also walk each day and use my dumbbells for upper body strength.

ImKramer 09/20/2013

That's a good whack I think. It's fat soluble so you can take too much and end up with toxic levels. As always get your Dr.s recommendations.
see:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind/DSECTION=dosing

catmagic 09/20/2013

wow - that's quite an article - very thorough. I think I'm good with 3,000 IU's a day - actually, it ends up more like 2,000 since some days I don't take all my supplements - I give my liver a break every few days or so, just seems like the wise thing to do. Intuition based.

Marilyn, good for you! I'm SO lazy! I know I need to exercise, but I don't.

WarriorGal 09/20/2013

I have also been dx osteopenia....I stopped taking the medication for it after reading the side effects and Medicare only pays for a check for it every TWO years. Interestingly a chiropractor told me to STOP taking calcium.

Besides D3 you also MUST take magnesium with calcium and the most absorbable form of Ca is Ca Citrate.

Re the article, I was not happy with this:

"They also suggested that antiretroviral therapy and lifestyle factors common in this population such as heavy alcohol or drug use, smoking, and poor nutrition may play a role too."

What a negative generalization of us!

Join the Conversation