stages and genotypes?

[stillcasey]

I find myself drowning trying to find out about this. What are the stages and genotypes? What do they mean and how do you find out? How does the treatment differ? Thanks for any insight into this.

[Mike]

Hep-C virus has 6 genotype: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. These are called genotype groups. Within each group, there are known subgroups. For example, within the genotype 1 group, there is genotype 1a and 1b.  Here is a list of known genotype groups, with their identified subgroups:

Genotype 1a & 1b
Genotype 2a, 2b, 2c & 2d
Genotype 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e & 3f
Genotype 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i & 4j
Genotype 5a
Genotype 6a

This is important because individual genotype groups respond differently to antiviral drugs/treatment. This is true with genotype subgroups.

Simply put, what may be a very effective treatment for genotype 2a - may not be as effective on, let's say, genotype 4e.

Knowing your genotype helps the doctor identify the most effective treatment protocol for you. The presence and extent of liver damage is also a consideration in making treatment decisions, as is your tolerance of certain drugs used in treatment.

In addition, you may have noticed that not everyone is completing the same treatment protocol. Some are on a 12 week course; whilst others are on a 24 week course. Some folks are completing a 3-drug protocol; others are only completing a two drug protocol.

This is why genotype, extent of liver damage and other factors are so important: All treatment decisions are guided by these factors.

Best wishes, Mike

[stillcasey]

Thanks mike. This is all very confusing I'm trying to learn it all. I'm still having trouble figuring out where I can go for treatment and what my options are without insurance.

[Mike]

Stages (or grades) generally refer to the extent of liver damage and/or the degree of liver inflammation (Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, which can be very damaging  liver tissue).

I was graded using a 0-4 scale and a biopsy was used to determine this. I was graded 2/2, which means I had moderate liver inflammation at the time of the biopsy  and I had moderate liver fibrosis (the beginning of scarring).

The scale/grade works like this: 0 no presences, 1 mild, 2 moderate, 3 moderately severe and 4 severe.

There are different scales used to grade liver disease; but this is the one I'm familiar with.

Best wishes, Mike