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Alan Franciscus
Editor-in-Chief
HCV Advocate
HBV Advocate

Friday, February 15, 2013

Vitamin A deficiency reduced response to therapy for chronic HCV

Vitamin A deficiency is common among patients with chronic hepatitis C, and is associated with nonresponse to interferon-based treatment, according to recent results.
Researchers measured vitamin A and 25-OH vitamin D levels in 199 treatment-naive patients with chronic HCV before receiving interferon (INF)-based treatment, and compared them with 119 healthy controls. Participants also underwent genotyping for the IL-28B rs12979860 C>T polymorphism.

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1 comment:

  1. This study points to the need for testing for fat-soluble vitamin levels before initiating HCV treatment. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored by the liver so the hepatitis C virus may be interfering with the storage of these important vitamins. If people are found to be deficient in any vitamin their medical provider should start them on a vitamin therapy before starting HCV treatment.

    If you are a patient starting HCV therapy talk to your doctor or nurse abut being tested for vitamin levels well before starting treatment.

    It is important to note that high doses of fat-soluble vitamins should be avoided unless directed to do so by your medical provider. Taking high doses of fat-soluble vitamins can damage the liver.

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