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For treatment to be effective with Interferon, ferritin levels need to be dropped to a level of 10 or less?
 
 
Dear Dr. Chung,
 
 
 
I was diagnosed a year ago with HVC. At that time I had a Ferritin level of 1,500, which has since lowered to about 950. I was on combination treatment for 6 months but was a non responder. I have just recently started the Halt-C research study. My biopsy sample was sent to Mayo to see if I had a high iron levels in my liver, but they came back in the normal range. I was told by my family MD that it is possible to have high ferritin levels without them actually carrying any abnormal levels of iron. I do not have Hemachromatosis. However, several national Iron Overload groups have told me that research in Europe has determined that for treatment to be effective with Interferon, ferritin levels need to be dropped to a level of 10 or less? What experience have you had with this issue?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dr Chung Writes-  
 
 
There are no studies i'm aware of that say ferritin must be low to have a good treatment outcome. i do not routinely treat high ferritin levels unless there's tissue evidence of iron overload or clearcut hemochromatosis. i would consult with your HALT-C doctors on this issue.
 
 
  Dr. Chung      
 
 
 
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