Q: Which doctor should I consult?
A: You should first consult your family doctor, who will then point you to a Gastroenetrologist or a Hepatologist, if available.
Q: What research is being done on Wilson’s Disease?
A: Constant research on this condition has lead to identification of the copper transporting gene ATP7B, a mutated form that causes the disease. Stapelbroek et al. for example reported that the H1069Q gene mutation means late neurological presentation.
Discoveries such as this should lead to better understanding and treatment of the condition.
Q: How can I avail the latest treatment options if I have Wilson’s Disease?
A: You should look out for the latest clinical drug trials on this condition that are in Phase III or IV. However, such treatments do not mean that the drug is likely to be successful. Sometimes you may end up with taking a dummy drug instead of the actual drug in a Phase II of the trial. So do ask the doctor if you want to participate in any such trial.
Q: Can you provide an overview of how Wilson's disease affects the liver?
A: The course of liver disease in Wilson's stands in contrast to other forms of cirrhosis for many people. The chronic liver injury in Wilson's disease is caused by excess free copper, and the liver disease often stabilizes or even improves once the excess copper is treated with zinc acetate maintenance therapy.
Q: What are the effects of copper accumulation on the brain?
A: Copper in Wilson’s Disease accumulates in the liver and brain. The brain is affected symmetrically although symptoms can be worse on one side of the body than another. This may have to do with factors of asymmetric neurological development, such as being right or left handed.
Q: What is the safe level of copper in drinking water?
A: While 0.1 ppm isn’t dangerous but it indicates that significant copper is coming from somewhere, and at times or under certain circumstances the level might be higher.
Q: Can a patient of Wilson's Disease get vaccinated against Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B?
A: Yes. Since Wilson's often affects the liver, many patients cannot afford additional injury to the liver. Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B vaccine is as safe for Wilson's patients as it is for others.
Q: Does zinc cause ulcers?
A: No. But ulcers are common problems. Patients experiencing abdominal pain and nausea should consult with their gastroenterologist.
