COULD YOU HAVE THIS DISEASE AND NOT KNOW IT? I DID!
A few years ago I fell headlong down a flight of stairs and ended up at the VA hospital here in Boise Idaho. I was banged up pretty good but thank God I had a wonderful doctor on duty in the emergency room that morning. I was bruised and in alot of pain but luckily nothing life threatening, that is, except for the results of my blood tests that came back after a few hours! My Doctor informed me that I had what is called "HEMOCHROMATOSIS" which is a blood disorder that is hereditary. Apparently the blood tests indicated that my liver wasn't quite right and I was literally steeped in excess iron! Needless to say I was shocked and after he explained to me the possible dire complications involved with the disease I was even more disturbed! The good news is that there is a way to manage the disease and I will explain how I do that, but first let me tell you a few things you should know because there are alot more people out there who have it and are not even aware that they do. BY THE WAY, THAT TERRIBLE FALL DOWN THOSE STEPS PROBABLY SAVED ME ALOT OF MISERY AND EXTENDED MY LIFE BY YEARS!
Hemochromotosis is a hereditary disease that is more prevalent in men than in women, although women can also have the disease. Men are about 5 times more likely to carry the disease than women. About 5 people in 1,000 of the U.S. Caucasian population are susceptible to developing the disease.
Hemochromotosis is the most common form of iron overload disease, it causes the body to absorb and store too much iron, the extra iron builds up in organs and damages them, without treatment the disease can cause these organs to fail. The organs most harmed by this disease are the Liver, Heart and Pancreas.
Women usually dont show signs or symptoms of the disease until later in life, this is because the monthly menstruation cycle eliminates, for the most part, the excessive iron, Its when they reach menopause that the signs are more apparent. Men, on the other hand, just continually accumulate the excess iron because the body has no viable way to rid itself of the iron so it naturally settles in the organs mentioned.
HERE ARE THE EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE:
* Arthritis, especially in your hands
* Chronic Fatigue
* Loss of sex drive or impotence
* Abdominal pain
* High blood sugar levels
* Low thyroid function
* Abnormal liver function test, even if no other symptoms are present
* In Ladies- Lack of normal menstruation
HERE ARE THE ADVANCED STAGE SIGNS:
* Cirrhosis of the liver
* Liver failure
* Liver Cancer
* Diabetes
* Congestive heart failure
* Cardiac Arrhythmia
* Discolored skin that is bronze or gray in color
WoW! Looking back now, I had many of these symptoms, I just couldn't really associate it with anything like this because I was ignorant of the facts. That is the problem with this disease, the symptoms are closely related to other problems, therefore are misdiagnosed.
If you yourself have some of these symptoms or just want to be sure then I encourage you to get tested as soon as possible. The blood test for TRANSFERRIN SATURATION is widely available and relatively inexpensive.
HOW CAN YOU MANAGE YOUR DISEASE IF YOU HAVE HEMOCHROMOTOSIS? First you should know that there is no cure for this disease, no pill, no magic solution. What I personally have to do is give blood every month, that's it! I swear to you that after my first Phlebotomy I felt so much better for some reason, I can't really explain it but I know there was a palliative component to it. Anyway, I am supervised by my doctor, he checks to see whether I am at the iron levels that are sufficient, this is done with a blood test every month. This will indicate whether or not I have to give blood the following month or skip a month. I know what your thinking....."THAT'S QUITE A HASSLE!"especially since you will have to do this the rest of your life, but honestly...think of the alternative! I've resigned myself to it, you could too!
I wanted to also say a few words about diet since this is an important factor. The problem is excess iron right? Red meat has loads of it and should only be consumed in small portions. Vitamin C in excessive amounts helps to retain iron in the body, as does alcohol. You can certainly find some great information on the internet in relation to hemochromotosis and diet.
I hope this information has been helpful. I sincerely hope that you don't turn out to be one of the carriers of this disease but if so, be heartened by the idea that you caught it early and that the treatment for it is very simple. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH!
COULD YOU HAVE THIS DISEASE AND NOT KNOW IT? I DID!
By: Francis Burger
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