Hep c questions.

[Hades1987]

I tested positive for hep c, the viral load is low i'm pretty sure, notbsure exactly what but will find out my next appointment. How do I find out what genotype it is? I am experiencing fatigue, sore and swollen glands under my chin and neck, pains/soreness all over my body, tingling in my hands and feet, and lately tightness in the left side of my chest, racing heart and angina every couple months that last for a couple minutes. Does hep c cause these problems? I am on day two of quitting smoking and eating a better diet with heart healthy foods. I am on methadone and have been for a year and a half, highest dose was 55ml and am now in the process of decreasing my dose to be off it for good, currently on 47ml. Could the methadone be causing the heart issues? I never had a good diet but now working on improving that. Will my hep c symptoms improve with a better diet? Or are the symptoms i am having not related to hep c at all? Any info will be appreciated, thanks..

[Lynn K]

What test have you had for hep c so far? If you have only been tested for hep c antibodies you may not have hep c. About 25% are able to beat the virus on their own. They will still test positive for antibodies but antibodies are not the virus. Antibodies are made by your own body when it tries to fight any invading virus. So your body makes antibodies to hep c when you are exposed to the hep c virus.

The next test would be the HCV RNA by PCR test this test checks for the presence of the hep c virus itself it also will provide your viral load. The viral load number means little it can be high or low and changes all the time. Having any hep c viral load means you are infected and will need treatment. Viral load does not relate to severity of infection.

As you are taking methadone I am assuming you were an IV drug user in the past. As that is a common route of infection I am assuming that you probably are currently infected and you will come back with a viral load number and hep c virus detected result on your HCV RNA by PCR test. To learn your genotype that is an additional blood test. You likely will also have a CBC (complete blood count) and liver enzyme panel done. You should keep copies of your blood tests unless your doctor provides online access through the internet. My doctor uses MyChart where I can see my results going back years.

The majority of people have little in the way of symptoms however many do report feeling tired a lot. When symptoms do result they are generally the symptoms of liver disease that has been caused by hep c.

https://www.hepmag.com/basics/hepatitis-c-basics/hepatitis-c-symptoms

“Most people (about 70% – 80%) with an acute Hepatitis C infection do not experience any symptoms or show signs of the infection.  If Hepatitis C symptoms do occur, they usually appear within two weeks to six months after being exposed to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). If you do develop symptoms related to Hepatitis C, they’re generally mild and flu-like and may include:

Feeling very tired
Sore muscles
Joint pain
Fever
Nausea or poor appetite
Stomach pain
Itchy skin
Dark urine
A yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice.

Since most people with acute Hepatitis C go on to develop chronic Hepatitis C – meaning the virus has remained in your body for 6 months or longer – and still have no Hep C symptoms, it’s common to have the infection for 15 years or longer before being diagnosed.“

Some people do develop what are called extrahepatic (outside the liver) symptoms.

Here is a link to information on this subject

https://www.hepatitisc.uw.edu/go/evaluation-staging-monitoring/extrahepatic-conditions/core-concept/all

The tiredness and soreness could be hep c not sure about the swollen glands


Your best option is to discuss your symptoms with your health care professional they should be able to diagnose what is causing your symptoms and find treatments. Especially you should ask about your heart related symptoms.

Congratulations on all your positive steps to improve your health. The more you do to have a healthier body the better you will feel.

Best of luck let us know how it is going and if you have any questions about your test results or treatment we will try our best to help.