Topic: Hemochromatosis

I posted this under Stage IV forum but think it might help here on High Risk Women as well. 

So, I just wanted to share this with others that may not know about this...

In 2005, I'd gone to the gyn for annual pap and some blood work since diabetes runs in my family.  I get a call a few days after and the nurse on the line says that the doctor (gyn) said to tell me to "stop taking my iron supplements", to which I replied I wasn't taking any.  The nurse just said ok and that was that. 

I'd been diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) six years earlier, then in 2007 heart disease, then 2008 this rare breast cancer IBC, then 2009 gall bladder disease. 

A few months ago had a hysterectomy and this was first time I'd been to this gyn onc and I gave him a copy of my past gyn records and brought up the "stop taking the iron", that I wasn't taking, and that's when my mom (who was with me) spoke up and said "your dad had that and had to donate blood a few times a year".  This was the first I'd known that about my dad who'd passed away in 1996.  The gyn onc said it's called Hemochromatosis.

I had anemia from age 16-21, but Hemochromatosis is iron overload which can come with or without anemia... who knew.

In researching Hemochromatosis, I learned that it can cause arthritis, heart disease and cancer.  Go figure, I have all three.  I found this website and learned that if I'd known and controlled it, maybe could've prevented the risk of these diseases.  So, maybe I can help someone else by spreading the word. 

A short copy/paste from the site: Over time, these excesses build to a condition of iron overload, which is a toxic to cells. Glands and organs, including the liver, heart, pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, synovium (joints) and bone marrow burdened with excess iron cannot function properly.  Symptoms develop and disease progresses.

More: People with iron disorders can have many vague symptoms or health issues including any one or combination of the following: fatigue, joint pain, bone or joint disease (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), shortness of breath, irregular heart beat, liver trouble, diabetes, infertility, impotence, depression, mood or mental disorders, poor cognitive skills or neurodegenerative diseases.   

Here's the link: http://www.irondisorders.org/classic-hemochromatosis