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.
I saw one of the top experts for Restless Leg Syndrome this week, and one of the things he told me is that autopsies of people with severe R LS often show iron deficiencies in their brains. He discussed the possibility of treating using a special formula of intravenous iron, and says it has shown promise.
We had already discussed that I was SVR for HCV, but he did not seem to think the treatment would affect my liver. I told him I would prefer to get approval from my GI before we started, but I sensed hesitation on his part.
I know you should avoid iron supplements if you have HCV, but what about after you clear?
We had already discussed that I was SVR for HCV, but he did not seem to think the treatment would affect my liver. I told him I would prefer to get approval from my GI before we started, but I sensed hesitation on his part.
I know you should avoid iron supplements if you have HCV, but what about after you clear?
As far as iron and HCV, I think you are doing yourself a favor by checking in with your GI prior to iron therapy. It will most surely be okay for you to have iron therapy but I, like you, would want my GI's okay.
When I was first dx'd with HCV, my liver bx showed iron staining (I think that's what it was called) and my blood tests showed high iron but not horribly so. I don't know what it is now that I am SVR.
So...I am with you that it's a good question for your GI as we all become very protective of our livers. :)
My mother has genetic iron overload of which she needs to have blood drawn out every 4-6 months. She too complained that her legs were restless. Now, I am thinking that hers became so after a blood draw, seeing how she would have less iron at that point. I will test the theory. She too has HCV, whether that is related or not.