Hemochromatosis!!!

Wow. I don't have that, but I feel your pain.

Sucks man. Sucks.

Is phlebotomy an option?

Edited by ChipmunkHeart 2005-10-11 8:55 AM

ChipmunkHeart!
I had to Google phlebotomy but yeah! That's what they're talking about doing, draining a couple of pints per month to bring the iron levels down! Weird and freaky!
Stu

Yeah, but don't tell my wife!(Joking, I'm joking!)
Just made an appointment. Nice to know I'm Biohazzard, brings me back to my Heavy Metal youth, cool name for a band!

So I did a quick google search and just from a really quick look it looks like organ damage from iron build up is the biggest issue, catching it earlier rather than later is good because it limits the amount of damage done. It's gentic, but doesn't present itself (usually) until adult hood. Treatment, like CMH said, is phlebotomy regularly until serum iron levels are normal, and then once every 2-4 months.

What I didn't see was anything about managing it through diet (e.g. eating low-iron foods).

So yeah, sucky, but as long as your organs are ok, not horrible.

Used to have pts with this in Outpt clinic- above posters correct-it's the organ damage from NOT treating it that 's the pits- otherwise- it's manageable-phlebotomy - go frequently at first (takes about 1/2 hr) give pint, til levels come down - then spreads out - they will advise you w/ diet & I believe there are some meds trialed for iron binding capability....
could be worse....