hemochromatosis

[smiles 0]

Last Christmas I was bugging my brother about his tan because he doesn't work outside and there is no-way one has a tan here in the winter..

Other than that he had lost some weight, but no other symptoms.
He finally got a recent
diagnosis of hemochromatosis- or iron overload and is now being "bled" 2 x a week....
says not many doctors know how to diagnose and I should be checked as it is genetic and can be fatal in time if not diagnosed properly.

rusting from the inside out
I am confused- will go to my doctors in the New Year. Anyone have or know anyone with this disorder??

thanx

SMiles

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jun/4/iron_absorption.htm

[freefalle 0]

here are a couple of really good links for you. this disorder can resolve itself over time and is more prevelant in men than in women. I worked at a blood bank where we did thereputic phelebotomy of hemochromotosic patients.

http://www.irondisorders.org/disorders/hem/

and

http://hemochromatosis.upmc.com/Treatment.htm


Sorry, I dont know how to make clickys. I spoke to one of the docotrs I worked with about this I can get you more information if you need it. feel free to send me a PM if you want

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Holy Moly. Good thing ya'll found out early, I guess. I have to love early detection, man. My mom died of undetected (til too late) colon cancer, so even at the tender age of 31 (two years ago) I went in and demanded a colonoscopy, during which the doctor found and removed three polyps, which over time could have turned cancerous. (You never know.)

So I am a firm believer in vigilance and early detection. Good on you for getting tested.

How is your brother's health, otherwise? Are there any implications about health complications from hemochromatosis? What causes it?

Good luck to both of you.

-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[wmw999 2,589]

I have a cousin and a long-time friend with it. You check for it by checking the ferritin levels in your blood. In the long run, as long as you do donate red blood cells you can return the ferritin levels to normal in the long run. Some blood banks take them, some don't -- there's absolutely nothing wrong with the red blood cells, so more blood banks are taking htem, which is good.

Your other siblings should also be checked probably. I know when my cousin was diagnosed the other members of his family were checked and they were fine.

Interestingly enough, a couple of people were posting about very high iron levels in the blood donation thread.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[wingnut 0]

a dude i work with has this condition....... i just posted about it in vikings blod thread last night.......

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[markd_nscr986 0]

It is not uncommon in some populations with Northern European ancestry and there are statistical "clusters" of men afflicted with this disorder through out the British Isles

Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004

[smiles 0]

ahhh
thanx....I suppose as usual, the more educated you are the less you worry. My mom & dad don't know anyone in the family with it. Just seems so weird that he has to be "bled", to lower iron levels, plus change his diet.

SMiles