1.      Have you received special training for evaluating and managing patients with hepatitis C and other types of liver disease?

2.      What journals and other medical information do you read, and what meetings do you attend that update you on the management of hepatitis C and other types of liver diseases?

3.      How many patients with hepatitis C have you evaluated, managed and treated?

4.      Do you have active clinical trials for treatment of patients with hepatitis C?

5.   Do these clinical trials include herbal aspects?

6.      Which patients with hepatitis C do you feel should be treated?

7.      If I do not respond to the therapy that you give me for hepatitis C, what would be your plan for my future care?

8.      Do you have ready access to a hospital where you can hospitalize patients with complications of liver disease?

9.      Have you referred any patients with hepatitis C for liver transplantation?

10.      I have heard that hepatitis C therapy may have many side effects and complications. What do you do to monitor these and how do you treat them?

11.  Are there new types of therapy that will soon be available for hepatitis C, and do you think I should wait for them?

You should ask these questions to assure yourself that the doctor takes a meticulous, thorough approach to diagnosis and treatment, and that he or she is accessible and flexible.

Other areas to research with your doctor is lifestyle changes, establishing baseline numbers before treatment discussions, diet and nutritional issues, and your doctors views on holistic/herbal management.

The management of Hepatitis C is a joint effort - physician, nutritionalist, dietician, and perhaps a naturopath.  You may find  using a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, or doing yoga can be beneficial to you for stress relief.