Re: low ferritin and high overload - it's possible

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Here's a web page with a LOT of info on this. There are several

situations that can cause high hematocrit.

One type is called hemochromatosis (HHC) which is an inherited

condition of abnormal iron metabolism; it is not a blood disease.

Below gives the labs needed to test for this condition.

Individuals with hemochromatosis absorb too much iron from the diet.

Iron cannot be excreted therefore the metal can reach toxic levels in

tissues of major organs such as the liver, heart, pituitary, thyroid,

pancreas, and synovium (joints). These overburdened organs cease to

function properly and eventually become diseased. Therefore,

undiagnosed and untreated HHC increases the risk for diseases and

conditions such as diabetes mellitus, irregular heart beat or heart

attack, arthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), cirrhosis of the

liver or liver cancer, depression, impotence, infertility,

hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and some cancers. Mismanaged iron in

the brain is seen in those patients with neurodegenerative diseases:

Alzheimer's, early onset Parkinson's, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis,

and Huntington's disease.

-------------------------------------------------------

Genetics:

In classic hemochromatosis, the iron build up is slow, usually taking

25-30 years before observed damage can be detected. In clinical

practice, HHC/iron overload is more often seen in male's in their mid

to late fifties. For this reason HHC has acquired the mistaken

identity of an older male's disease. HHC can be present in females,

especially those who no longer menstruate.

HFE, the gene for classic hemochromatosis was discovered by a team of

scientists in California in August 1996. Two major mutations of HFE

attributable to iron loading are C282Y and H63D.

Hemochromatosis can be detected in several ways:

Tests are available to determine whether or not you have an iron

loading condition. These include specific blood tests, genetic

analysis, and possibly liver biopsy, if the serum ferritin is above

1,000ng/mL.

Specific tests include: fasting serum iron, total iron binding

capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin/hematocrit, and serum ferritin. Other

tests that are less commonly used but that can be helpful are UIBC or

the serum transferrin receptor. The TIBC and serum iron are used to

calculate the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (Tsat%). This

number is derived by dividing serum iron by TIBC and multiplying the

answer by 100%. Normally Tsat% is 25-35%; values greater than 45% are

indicative of iron overload and should be investigated.

The serum iron test needs to be done fasting: nothing by mouth past

midnight or prior to blood work. Also, the patient should avoid

vitamin C supplements three days prior to tests and reduce

consumption of Vitamin C rich juices during this same three-day

period of time. The best time for blood work is in the morning.

Both ferritin and TSat% will be elevated if tissue iron levels are

excessive. See normal ranges for ferritin by age and gender using the

chart above.

>

> > I have run across a few studies on PubMed that show that it's

possible

> > to have iron deficiency that causes symptoms without it showing

up as

> > low Hgb and Hct, so I tend to believe that, according to my

personal

> > experience. Some docs will tell you that you can't be anemic

unless

> > it shows as low Hgb and Hct, which is technically accurate, but

you

> > CAN be iron deficient without anemia and have symptoms.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you! That's some scary stuff... I kinda doubt that's what's

going on with me, but I will talk to my doc about it, once I find a

new one (very soon I hope... darn insurance is so slow with the

provider booklet). I do have the hypoT and irregular heartbeat, so you

never know... so far, normal levels of iron though.

> >

> > > I have run across a few studies on PubMed that show that it's

> possible

> > > to have iron deficiency that causes symptoms without it showing

> up as

> > > low Hgb and Hct, so I tend to believe that, according to my

> personal

> > > experience. Some docs will tell you that you can't be anemic

> unless

> > > it shows as low Hgb and Hct, which is technically accurate, but

> you

> > > CAN be iron deficient without anemia and have symptoms.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

My doc told me about this old remedy to block iron absorption. Drink

coffee or tea during/with meals. When he told me this story it was

to stress the point that I shouldn't drink either with a meal as it

can lower my iron level. But, if one has high levels maybe it would

be helpful... <<wink>>

Bj

> >

> > > I have run across a few studies on PubMed that show that it's

> possible

> > > to have iron deficiency that causes symptoms without it showing

> up as

> > > low Hgb and Hct, so I tend to believe that, according to my

> personal

> > > experience. Some docs will tell you that you can't be anemic

> unless

> > > it shows as low Hgb and Hct, which is technically accurate, but

> you

> > > CAN be iron deficient without anemia and have symptoms.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ha... I don't need any more encouragement to drink coffee, BJ... (and

I always drink it with food). I'm an espresso snob, and have a

love/hate relationship with the stuff!

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > Here's a web page with a LOT of info on this. There are several

> > situations that can cause high hematocrit.

> >

> > One type is called hemochromatosis (HHC) which is an inherited

> > condition of abnormal iron metabolism; it is not a blood disease.

> > Below gives the labs needed to test for this condition.

> >

> > Individuals with hemochromatosis absorb too much iron from the

> diet.

> > Iron cannot be excreted therefore the metal can reach toxic levels

> in

> > tissues of major organs such as the liver, heart, pituitary,

> thyroid,

> > pancreas, and synovium (joints). These overburdened organs cease to

[Guest guest]

Neato! Every little bit helps, and I need a good reason to drink iced

tea with meals in the summer, LOL.

thanks,

sol

beckyjov wrote:

> My doc told me about this old remedy to block iron absorption. Drink

> coffee or tea during/with meals. When he told me this story it was

> to stress the point that I shouldn't drink either with a meal as it

> can lower my iron level. But, if one has high levels maybe it would

> be helpful... <<wink>>

>

>