06/25/2017
On the show yesterday, a man called in with questions about his chronic joint pain. He had hepatitis C about 15 years ago. After the Hepatitis C was successfully treated, he was left with painful hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Since we don't get a lot of calls regarding hepatitis C, I thought I would write a little more about the pain problems from hepatitis C.
Both the disease, and the treatment for the disease, can cause pain. All things considered, the treatment probably causes more lasting pain problems than the illness, assuming the hepatitis C is successfully treated. The medications used to treat hepatitis C are toxic. They can cause permanent side effects, including pain in the muscles, and joints, and nerve pain from peripheral neuropathy.
There are permanent metabolic changes also. Almost everybody with hepatitis C gets low testosterone and low cortisol. A large number also get decrease in their thyroid function. This is a formula for fatigue, low energy, low motivation, and frequent illness. It is also a fomula for magnifying minor aches into severe pains.
Treatment is complex. Because permanent damage cannot be undone, treatment is aimed at the consequences of the permanent damage: Raise testosterone, and other hormone levels to the middle of the normal physiologic range; improve adrenal function with nutritiuonal supplements, or even administer physiologic doses of bioidentical cortisol; treat thyroid abnormalities, especially elevated reverse T3, or decreased T3 to Reverse T3 ratio (T3/RT3); address nutrition seriously.
Frequent nutritional problems seen in people who have had hepatitis C include: B vitamin deficiency; vitamin D deficiency; and deficiencies in nutrients required for detoxification, like N-Acetyl Cisteine (NAC). More important than the nutritional supplements you take, is the food you eat. Eat like your life depends on it. So you can lead a pain free life.
