Diabetes and the Hepatitis C Virus.
Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis C virus remains in a person's body. Hepatitis C virus infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer according to the CDC.
You have no doubtedly seen the commercials on T.V. looking for baby boomers who might be positive for Hep C. What is missing from the ad is the fact that the treatment costs about 84,000 dollars and promises a cure.
Chronic viruses are linked to several other conditions including Type II diabetes.
Though many extrahepatic effects of HCV are caused by an interaction between HCV and the immune response leading to cryoglobulinemia, the link between Type 2 Diabetes and HCV does not occur through this mechanism. Extrahepatic sites involved in glucose metabolism, such as the skeletal muscles, also exhibit IR in patients with chronic HCV. Insulin resistance occurs in approximately 30%-70% of persons with chronic HCV. Insulin resistance is more common in patients with chronic HCV than in those with other liver diseases. It is a necessary precursor for Type 2 Diabetes and develops prior to the diabetes in HCV patients.
Type 2 diabetes is four times more common in patients with HCV and hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic HCV can be a direct result of HCV genotype 3 or from IR and T2DM in those with other genotypes. Eradication of HCV RNA in patients with genotype 3 is associated with resolution of hepatic steatosis. There are HCV genotypes in which steatosis is an established component of the metabolic syndrome, a sustained virologic response (SVR),does not appear to resolve hepatic fat.
If you test positive for Hep C it makes sense to start controlling your blood sugar regulation now and addressing your viral loads even if you don't show signs of disease.
Hep C patients can get better control of their viral loads with Xymogen's Viragraphis, Immunotix 500, NAC, Lipotropix and Liver Protect. We offer 10 pass MAH I.V. Ozone with German Biologics to affect the virus and support healthy liver function. All I.V. therapies are MD ordered in NYS.
1. True or False. The link between HCV and type 2 diabetes is caused by an interaction between HCV and the immune response—the same mechanism that leads to other extrahepatic effects of HCV such as cryoglobulinemia.
A. True
B. False
2. Which of the following statements is/are most accurate about insulin resistance (IR) among individuals with chronic HCV?
A. IR develops after liver fibrosis
B. IR occurs in less than 10% of individuals with chronic HCV
C. IR is more common in patients with chronic HCV than in those with other liver diseases
D. None of the Above
3. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is __________ times more common in patients with HCV than in patients without liver disease or liver disorders other than HCV.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
4. Hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic HCV can be a direct result of HCV genotype _______ or from insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in those with other genotypes.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
5. The treatment of chronic HCV with oral anti-viral therapy __________________.
A. Is highly successful
B. Is somewhat successful
C. Is not successful
Answer Key
1. B. False
2. C. IR is more common in patients with chronic HCV than in those with other liver diseases
3. C. 4
4. C. 3
5. A. Is highly successful
