thank you sir for response.  the tabulated sheet given to me show minimum 140,000 max 400,000 plaquetas HEMOGRAMA - Formula red.  as long as B12 doesn't make HepC worse (I recall 20yrs ago doc told me do not take iron supplements) I'll go ahead w/B12.

I have erythromelalgia, probably caused by HepC, and the last year has been heck, not able to stand or walk more than an hour (and we do a lot of that here).  however in the last month I gave up foods containing high nickel content (wheat, oats, peanuts, tuna, most veggies) and the relief has been dramatic and welcomed although not near normal.  still think the oxygen carrying redblood cells could be a factor, but most always I'm wrong in my thinking.   As long as B12 doesn't worsen hepC I'll try it for a 3months.     In june I plan to have biopsy (4th) if'n I can find a doc here  to do it.

again thank you

Hi Ivan,

I think you're a bit confused about your blood test results. The normal range for platelets is 150-450/ microlitre. Yours are slightly elevated which is probably of no significance. Platelets are necessary for blood clotting- they do not carry oxygen. Red blood cells are quite different- they carry oxygen attached to haemoglobin.  Enlarged red blood cells ( or increased Mean Corpuscular Volume) may be seen in any anaemia.  Unless you have reduced red cells or decreased haemoglobin from pernicious anaemia, vitamin B 12 is a waste of money. You can check the blood levels of B12 by a simple blood test, just called serum Vitamin B12 levels.  I'm surprised you can't buy vitamins in Costa Rica.

wow big words, ok my newbe ??  CBC blood test results showed 490k (high) platelet red blood count.   I plan to start taking vitamin B12 - thinking my high count is caused by enlarged red cells and thus not able to produce oxygen.    where I live vitamins are not sold so having a friend bring few bottles from states.  perhaps prior to starting B12 I should get specific blood test for B12.  what is name of that test?

Boy, I guess I should now all those very technical terms you used. But, I'll leave that to my GI doc. I'm doing somewhat more than "just taking milk thistle". There are semi-annual blood work-ups. As I said, levels remain about the same, for years and years. Had a biopsy quite a few years ago....just showed some scarring. Did the Peg Interferon/Ribavirun (sp?) treatment several years ago. After 4 months, viral count was way down, but still detectable, so my doc mercilessly removed me from that treatment. Whew! Now just waiting for the protease inhibitor class of drugs, which were in several clinical trials, to be approved for regular use. The wife of a friend, (same genotype as me), was in one of those trials. 12 week treatment...practically no side effects...no detectable virus at end of 12 weeks...no det. virus 12 weeks post treatment....no det. virus over a year post treatment. I guess the FDA just has to approve it. So I'm trying to stay healthy until then.

I didn't realize that very few HCV patients had iron overload. I 'did'...but am so happy to have that problem corrected and maintained. Thanks for your reply! Take care...

Hi Emmett,

I agree that all HCV patients should have an iron profile done as part of screening. Excess iron in hepatocytes is thought to contribute to development of cirrhosis and HCC. The role of Hepcidin in HCV is still uncertain, but very few patients with chronic HCV have iron overload. There are multiple factors that increase the risk of cirrhosis, but excess iron is way down the list.

The link beween HCV and Type 2 diabetes is still not clearly defined. Direct action of the HCV on pancreatic beta cells, autoimmune response attacking pancreatic cells, insulin-resistance from resistin excess etc. are all possible. I have not seen any link between excess iron/HCV and diabetes.

I assume you have compound heterozygous haemochromatosis, as heterozygous haemochromatosis patients are just carriers. The former condition is usually very mild, and I'm surprised you need phlebotomies for that. It would be most unusual to have iron overload from reduced hepcidin unless you are cirrhotic.  Are you intending to have treatment for HCV, or are you just taking milk thistle?  Cheers.

Greetings. New here. I've had Hep C for probably 40+ years. I DO NOT drink a drop of alcohol, and faithfully take milk thistle. Thank God, I seem to be cruising with elevated levels, but not dangerously elevated.  About two years ago I was also diagnosed with iron overload...1500+! I'm heterozygous for hemachromatosis, so the iron overload 'might be' from the single gene, or, as I've learned, might be just a result of the common reduced levels of hepcidin with Hep C patients. Either way, those HIGH iron levels were NOT good. Over the last couple of years I've been receiving therapeutic phlebotomies to reduce those iron levels to normal range. For almost a year, my iron levels have been at the low end of normal. Yahoo! Since iron overload, (whether from hemachromatosis or Hep C), can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, pancreatic problems, heart problems, and who knows what else, I assume the common cause for cirrhosis and cancer of the liver in Hep C patients is the excess iron.  (Sorry if I'm droning on too much.) Seems to me that ALL Hep C patients should have their iron levels tested, and if the levels are above the normal range, phlebotomies should ensue. But I've never heard of that being standard practice with Hep C patients. 

Also, I'm wondering if there are any/many studies concerning higher incidence of diabetes in Hep C patients, (due to iron overload pancreatic damage.)

I guess my main point is that it seems like maintaining proper iron levels in Hep C patients would be STANDARD PRACTICE.   Your insight and thoughts on this subject would be appreciated. Wishing you all good health!