What Does This Have To Do With The Subject?
There was a time when diabetes was considered to be the most common cause of death among hemochromatotics, but since the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best, a liver tumour known as a “hepatoma” tops the list. Whatever the cause, serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis can cause a number of complications, including esophageal varices. Abnormally enlarged veins in the lower part of the esophagus can occur in 50% of patients with cirrhosis. It is when the root cause happens to be iron overload — as is the case with a dear and valued friend, at this moment — that I cannot help waving the banner once more! A fervent teetotaller, he has abstained from alcohol throughout his adult life, but what else is new? The initial pronouncement after diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, was “cause of varices: alcoholism”!
Signs of Hemochromatosis, The Insidious Killer
Diabetes, arthritis, a tan which never fades (even where the 'sun don't shine!'), chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, impotence, diminished libido, premature menopause, arrhythmia, cirrhosis of the liver — all can be the result of too much iron.
Hemochromatosis is also frequently misdiagnosed as chronic hepatitis, gall bladder and thyroid problems, polycythemia, and iron deficiency. As some sufferers exhibit pronounced mood swings and other personality changes such as severe depression, anger, confusion or diminished memory, they can be incorrectly treated for mental illness. In some cases Alzheimer’s has been suspected.
Only the correct tests will provide proof. A complete "iron study" to obtain the transferrin saturation percentage as well as the ferritin level is necessary, for hemoglobin is normal in hemochromatosis. If you have any of the above symptoms and your physician will not test you, find one who will. No one needs to suffer the ravages of hemochromatosis. While it is the most common genetic disease of all, it is the only one which is treatable, and also the only one of which all the suffering is preventable.
Article comments
1 - Openmouthed Len
I am so glad that I read this article which, in turn, led me to read The Bronze Killer. Like the man featured in the YouTube video (HEMOCHROMATOSIS AWARENESS -Marie Warder) I feel that I, too, have "dodged a bullet."
2 - Marie Warder
I am re-posting a link to this article on Facebook because of messages since received from affected people who despair of dear ones who refuse to go for testing. The person featured in it has since died, and I am hoping to be well enough to go to his funeral today. If I can be there, and if have an opportunity to speak, what I would say would be that David Fleming was a gift. One of the nicest, most courageous, unselfish and exemplary men I have been blessed to know. Only his unshakeable faith kept him going. He is featured in Part 5 (A and B) of the YouTube video HEMOCHROMATOSIS AWARENESS to be found on the BRONZE KILLER page of my website, www.dromedarisbooks.com
3 - Marie Warder
For some unknown reason, the YouTube video I have mentioned in this article, has been removed from the "Bronze Killer" page of my website. I would be grateful beyond words,to anyone who is able to explain why - and even more so to the person who can restore it!
4 - Tommy Webb JR
I have had Hemochromatosis since 1992. I had problems with blood pressure,chronic headaches, Back surgerys and Glaucoma with High IOP.Severve fatigued with abdominal pain with cirrhous of the liver. Took around 18 months to get my iron level down to normal range. 3 times a week phlebotomys for a year and a half. Now about 2-4 phlebotomys a year. Why do I stay so fatigued with pain in joints feet and back.
5 - Marie Warder
I am not a doctor so I shall not attempt to give you a diagnosis re the fatigue etc., but, just taking a guess, I think that the pain in your joints, feet and back, might be due to chondrocalcinosis...
6 - cheryl crain
my husband died in 2010 of this disease we never were told that he had hemochromatosis when he almost died of diabetes the previous year. i wish that we had been informed of the diease, so that we could have gone to a hemotologist. maybe he could have lived a few years longer. we never had that option. now my children and grand children are without a grandfather. now my life is so uncertain finances are terrible. it is so unfair, that we never had a chance to at least fight back. one thing for certain is this a horrible disease and my children are affected. they are carriers of the same disease. i live in fear knowing the horrible suffering that a person is going through. i hope that my children never have to endure that kind of suffering. my husband was 57 when he died. he had always been in good health, but in october of 2009 he started feeling bad. we went to our family practioner and was told he needed gall bladder surgery. within a matter of 6 weeks. cancer was everywhere plus he lost his voice. seven weeks later he died. thanks for letting me have a voice in this matter, because it has been a terrible burden.
7 - Marie Warder
You are almost telling my own story and, because of this, there can be few people who can be as sympathetic as I am.
There is a ray of hope, though. Now that you know what you are up against,your children will be fine as long as their iron stores are monitored.
Mine have regular phlebotomies in order prevent that dangerous build-up of iron in their bodies.