Guthrie Hepatitis C Clinic

It is estimated that four million Americans carry the Hepatitis C virus; many are undiagnosed. Individuals may carry and transmit this virus for decades before any they develop any symptoms. Once diagnosed, treatment may be recommended. The treatment of Hepatitis C involves 6 to 12 months of therapy.

Treatment available for Hepatitis C is proving to be successful in over 50 percent of the patients treated. This treatment includes regular administration of the drugs Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin. Hepatitis C can attack the liver, causing severe damage to that organ or making it completely useless. Hepatitis C can also lead to liver cancer. In addition to this, the treatment for Hepatitis C can be debilitating, causing a host of ailments such as: flu-like symptoms, fatigue, mood swings, thyroid imbalances, anemia, birth defects, retinal abnormalities, migraine headaches and general suppression of the immune system.

To optimize management of Hepatitis C and lessen the burden of these side effects of treatment, Guthrie has developed a Hepatitis C Clinic. While not an actual suite of offices, it is the incorporation of numerous disciplines to stave the effects of the disease and its treatment.

Why involve other medical disciplines?

Primarily, you will be followed in the department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The Doctors and Nurse Practitioners in this department are experts in the management of Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C and its treatment is highly individualized. Your current health has much to do with how aggressively treatment can be administered. Certain diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, won’t necessarily preclude a Hepatitis C patient from treatment, but will require close monitoring by trained healthcare providers. If your situation deems necessary, you may be referred to one of our experts to determine if you are a suitable candidate for treatment.

Liver Surgeon

Liver cancer is a rare, but very real, complication of chronic Hepatitis C infection. New advances have been made in the treatment of liver cancer. As part of the Guthrie team, we are fortunate to have access to Dr. Thomas Vandermeer and Ali M. Ghellai. They are both hepatobiliary surgeons who perform many new procedures, such as cryoablation, for liver cancer. We will keep a close eye on you for the development of liver cancer. If necessary, you will be referred to Dr. Vandermeer or Ali M. Ghellai for management of this.

Ophthalmology

Once it has been decided to start treatment, you are given a baseline eye exam. Interferon can rarely cause damage to the retina of the eye. At Guthrie, we have a number of optometrists who are experienced in monitoring for potential problems related to Interferon use. To prevent any problems, you will be given an initial eye exam by an experienced optometrist. In addition, our Optometrists will perform routine follow-up eye exams to ensure that your eyes remain healthy. It’s critical that your eye health not be compromised as a result of treatment.

Psychiatry

Because you are entering into a year’s worth of significant lifestyle changes and medical treatments, you may experience a significant impact of your mental health. The medications used to treat Hepatitis C can also impact your phsychological well being. Because of this, it is critical that you make your health care provider aware of issues you face during this time. If you feel your moods are becoming unmanageable or you are emotionally overwhelmed at any point in your therapy, it is imperative that you pass this along to your Hepatitis C care provider. As a result, you may be referred to Guthrie’s Psychiatry Department for an initial meeting to discuss the best method to find relief at this time. This might include anti-depressant/anxiety medication, individual counseling or group counseling. Guthrie recognizes that everyone’s needs at this time are slightly different. Your attitude at this time is very important. Occasional or frequent access to a full range of care, including psychiatry, might be the difference between "just getting by" and "living your life to it’s fullest" during treatment.

HIV Coinfection

Because many of the issues that put a person at risk for Hepatitis C are the same as those of HIV, many people carry both viral infections. At Guthrie, we are fortunate to have access to Dr. Moyhuddin, who is an expert in managing people who are coinfected with Hepatitis C and HIV.

Internal Medicine

The normal activities of living don’t stop once you are diagnosed with and begin treatment for Hepatitis C. Colds, the flu and your pre-existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure, will still be a part of your life. In addition, Interferon and Ribavirin therapy may worsen certain medical conditions, such as heart disease. People with a preexisting condition may require clearance from an Internist prior to beginning therapy and monitoring during therapy. Because of your needs during this time, Guthrie’s Internal Medicine Department is on hand to assist you with your specific needs. We understand that many people have a primary health care provider who handles their healthcare needs. Often, your primary care provider can handle your basic needs, as well as any other needs that can occur during treatment. It may also be comforting to realize that we also have Internal Medicine backup within our clinic. It is also our practice to keep your primary care provider informed of your encounters with us.