Ask Your Questions About-HCV! of our Hepatitis Experts:

TTP & Hep C

Hi,

I was diagnosed with TTP back in 1989 and was admitted to hospital with an LDH of 1700 and PLT of 11,000. One of the consequences of receiving plasma pheresis was that I developed Hep C. I am now about to start treatment for the Hepatitis with Peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. One of the side effects of ribavirin is a drop in the red blood cell and platelets.

Do you think I may have a higher risk of having problems because of my past history with TTP? Or simply monitoring my blood counts would be enough?

Thanks very much for your help.

--P.

answer from Dr Rodriguez:

No. I do not think you may have an increased risk. You should have a close follow up of the platelets, anyhow. Our experience has been that only rarely do we have this problem.Good luck!! MR