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.

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ImKramer 09/12/2013

HCV, waist circumference linked to greater liver stiffness
http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/hepatitis-resource-center-2013/hcv-waist-circumference-linked-to-greater-liver-stiffness

MrOSO 09/12/2013

Damn, here all along I was blaming my waist circumference on HCV and liver stiffness! :-)

MLTTexas 09/12/2013

All I know is my waist circumference is huge compared to rest of my skinny body. I've been thin since my transplant 3 years ago, and now my 'waist circumference' stays big, thanks to the recurrence of Hep C in my new liver. I'm sure my age makes it all worse.

Ozzita 09/12/2013

I used to have a little beer belly!!!
Not no more----ICE CREAM BELLY!!!!

WarriorGal 09/12/2013

The article says:

"Central obesity further worsens liver fibrosis in HCV-infected women."

It's about OBESITY not a stomach that's destended due to other causes.

deleted_user 09/12/2013

My liver is probably stiff as a board then. My belly size has increased significantly since last year. I have gastro appt. the 18th, tho I think it's just fat.

ELVISLIVES 09/13/2013

Article WAYYYY over my head, but wondering how they measure liver stiffness??? Is that what happens when someone you LOVE hugs you :)????

peepers21 09/13/2013

Well , no freakin wonder I never receive wolf whistles as I did when I was younger,. Damn tomotao with toothpick legs I am.. Ugh

TulsaGal 09/13/2013

I have had a biopsy and a MRE at the NIH. They are doing a research trial to test the accuracy of the MRE versus the biopsy findings. So far they are getting good results. I will have another one in November. They strap this funny apparatus around my waist and put me in an MRI. It bounces sound waves off of my liver and tests the stiffness. The researcher is also doing similar trials to test for heart damage and on the carotid artery.
It would be nice to find a better test than the traditional biopsy.
I have gained about ten pounds since the original MRE. I wonder how that will influence the test results? Too much ice cream. No self control.

deleted_user 09/13/2013

I'm thinking HCV can activate metabolic syndrome - does anyone have any evidence the two are linked?

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