Thursday's Thoughts

[DonnaBoll]

I always try to chat about something I feel is important for everyone to know about. Today I want to go to something very basic - your Urso dosage.

1. Urso is the proven first line treatment for PBC and should be started as soon as PBC is suspected

2. The dose is always based solely on your body weight - NEVER symptoms or lab results.

3. Almost half of those who take Urso are not on the correct dose. This is startling, I think.

4. What I'm asking everyone of you today to do is please check if you are on the right dose or not. The dosage is 13-15mgs/kg of body weight. Always! The Urso can often be thought to be ineffective, when you aren't on the right dose to begin with.

For example if your weight is 150 lbs your weight in kgs is about 70. (Take your body weight in pounds and divide by 2.2 to get your weight in kg.)

You can then multiply your kgs by 13, 14, or 15 mgs. This gives you a range of what your dose should be. Remember the dosage is 13-15mgs/kg

Even being on one capsule or tablet less can make a difference, especially when you are being evaluated as to whether you are a responder or not. Over time this adds up to quite a bit more Urso being taken for someone. This is especially important to those who are newly diagnosed and wanting their numbers to improve.

This is crucial for managing your PBC and giving the Urso every chance to make a difference in our liver function tests overall.

If anyone has any questions, please ask here or send me a private 'chat'. If you know you are on the wrong dose or at least question it, you have a responsibility to yourself to have this discussion with your doctor. He should know the dose you need to be on using this formula. Again, the dose is never based on symptoms or what your lab results are - only your body weight. We all want the very best for ourselves and know we are getting the right care for our PBC. If your doctor doesn't seem aware of using this formula, I would highly question their real ability to treat patients with PBC. Few primary - even many GI doctors - know about PBC. Asking questions is how your relationship with them should be. Care of PBC is long term. You should have a good rapport with your doctor, knowing he is really knowledgeable in the treatment of PBC.