11-11-2018, 01:17 PM
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Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46153617"I had unexplained stomach pains. Then when I got to university I began to faint frequently, my hair was falling out, I had severe joint pains and was constantly tired. My Mum thought it was down to my hectic student lifestyle."
A visit to her GP and two blood tests for iron levels revealed that she was suffering from genetic haemochromatosis or GH - a genetic condition which causes iron to overload in the body.
Most of us think of iron as a strength-giver and worry more about iron deficiency. There is little awareness of the risks of iron overload, and confusingly some of the symptoms, like fatigue, can be the same.
- GH is a condition which leads to the accumulation of iron in the organs of the body
- In the UK, it is thought that approximately 250,000 people are at risk of GH, although many are undiagnosed, and the risk is higher for men than women
- It is caused by a faulty gene - Northern Europeans with Celtic origins, particularly of Irish backgrounds, are more likely to carry the gene
- Symptoms of GH include fatigue, joint disease, skin problems, and sexual health issues. Left untreated GH can cause serious illness such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.
- Treatment is relatively simple and consists of venesection (bloodletting). As the body makes more blood to replace that taken, it uses up the excess stored iron.
In my case, I have Irish heritage (my birth mother).
https://westernpeople.ie/2015/03/25/...st-of-ireland/
Why has the west of Ireland been cursed with this affliction? After countless studies, it is widely believed that haeomochromatosis may not have originated as a bad thing- in fact it may have saved the lives of our ancestors. Turns out, it is very likely that the Famine and a very poor diet contributed to a mutation of genes in order to absorb extra iron.
11-11-2018, 01:21 PM
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Re: Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
Gosh as someone who has to take iron supplements I wasn't aware of this at all. Glad they are treating you now as it sounds like one of those things it takes a while for a gp to get around to testing for.11-11-2018, 01:37 PM
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Re: Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
Originally Posted by Julie1962
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Gosh as someone who has to take iron supplements I wasn't aware of this at all. Glad they are treating you now as it sounds like one of those things it takes a while for a gp to get around to testing for.
Otherwise, my fatigue and joint pain would have been put down to "old age" .....
11-11-2018, 03:16 PM
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Re: Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
Originally Posted by Julie1962
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Far too many things are put down to age and weight and various other things without proper thought put into diagnosis IMO
11-11-2018, 03:19 PM
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Re: Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
Originally Posted by Omah
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A former GP of mine put most ailments in middle age and onwards as "wear and tear" and advised "take 2 Paracetamol as required" .....
I agree, Omah.
With my back troubles I have just been told the same old blah . . . " Wear & tear. You must expect these things are your age."
So many prefer to write a prescription than investigate.
24-11-2018, 06:41 PM
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Re: Haemochromatosis - 'The most common condition you've never heard of'
Originally Posted by wild blueberry
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I think Beautiful Filly's husband has this condition....
Yes Blue...you're absolutely right...Allen does have Hereditary Hemochromatosis...and in the past 12 or so years, has had to have a phlebotomy about once every six months... Lately though...he has been holding his own.
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