Guest guest Posted July 3, 2004 Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 It's an overload of info I think...hard to sort it all out...after I read it I thought " boy I hope that I'm not OD'ing on iron " A soon as I can afford it I have to get my blood work done ....it's been since last August...so it's time... Best to you, Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks > Thanks very much, ! Something else to worry about. I'll never get my doctor to take it seriously either. > in Va. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2004 Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 Have you ever had your ferritin tested before? This was the first time for me. Someone on Shomon's forum had mentioned having it tested, so I did. I was relieved that it wasn't low! Now I find it might be too high. I had heard of hemochromatosis before. It makes sense to test for it sense it can do so much damage if it's ignored. in Va. It's an overload of info I think...hard to sort it all out...after I read it I thought " boy I hope that I'm not OD'ing on iron " A soon as I can afford it I have to get my blood work done ....it's been since last August...so it's time... Best to you, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2004 Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 Thanks for this. I don't know. I have fatigue and lack of energy. I have the loss of sex drive.Occasional joint pain. Not alot. I don't know. I will definitely bring it up to my doctor next time. Thanks again. in Va. This is from yahoo health. (My iron is 107 and the normal range stops at 100. Endo isn't worried because I don't have any of these symptoms.) Hemochromatosis Provided by A.D.A.M., Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Overview | Treatment | Images ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Definition Hemochromatosis is a disorder that interferes with iron metabolism and results in excess iron deposits throughout the body. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Primary hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in the US, affecting an estimated 1 of every 200-300 Americans. Similar symptoms may occur from the secondary form of hemochromatosis, which can be caused by other diseases such as thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia. Hemochromatosis may also be caused by having a large number of blood transfusions, particularly in patients who get them for inherited or pre-malignant anemias. Occasionally, it may be seen with hemolytic anemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, excessive oral iron ingestion, and chronic alcoholism. First, excess iron accumulates in the liver and causes liver enlargement. Then, other organs are affected. The disease may lead to the development of diabetes, skin pigment changes, cardiac problems, arthritis, testicular atrophy, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, hypopituitarism, chronic abdominal pain, severe fatigue, and increased risk of certain bacterial infections. Hemochromatosis affects men five times more frequently than women. It is particularly common in Caucasians of Western European descent. Symptoms are often seen in men between the ages of 30 and 50 and in women over 50 (although some people may develop problems by age 20). Alcoholism and a family history of hemochromatosis are risk factors. Prevention Screening family members of a person diagnosed with hemochromatosis may detect the disease early so that treatment can be started before organ damage has occurred in other affected relatives. Symptoms Joint pain Fatigue Lack of energy Weight loss Generalized darkening of skin color (often referred to as bronzing) Abdominal pain Loss of sexual desire Testicular atrophy Loss of body hair Weakness Heart problems Symptoms related to the onset of diabetes Signs and tests A physical examination shows an enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, and pigmentation changes in the skin. If hemochromatosis is suspected, blood tests may help make the diagnosis. These include: Elevated serum iron Elevated TIBC (total iron binding capacity) Elevated serum ferritin Elevated percentage of transferrin saturation This diagnosis may be confirmed with a liver biopsy or by systemic removal of iron through blood removal (quantitative phlebotomy). Recently, genetic mutations have been found in some families who have hemochromatosis. Blood tests can be used to look for these genetic changes and confirm the diagnosis of hemochromatosis as well as to determine who may be at high risk of developing the disease. Other tests after initial diagnosis may include liver function tests (LFT), CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, biphasic helical CAT scan, alpha fetoprotein, PIVKA-II, glucose, hepatitis screening, and ECG. Last Reviewed: 5/10/2002 by Matsui, M.D., Department of Oncology, s Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2004 Report Share Posted July 3, 2004 Very interesting, . I don't understand how hemoglobin could be low and iron can be high at the same time. Love to hear what your doctor has to say! in Va. Here are my last 2 labs...they are sorta old now...I think that I have only had mine tested the one time...Next time I go to my Naturopath I'm taking my tape recorder and ask tons of questions...and getting new tests...Too much of a good thing is bad, lol..that's what we are finding out I guess? ) Test Date prior to Armour 6/3/03 My Frees didn't get tested the first time...too bad... WBC 6.02 Range 3.90-10.60 RBC 3.82L Range 4.20-5.40 HGB 11.7L Range 13.0-18.0 HCT 34.1L Range 35.0-47.0 TIBC was 321 Range 240-450 Iron was 175H Range 30-160 % Saturation 55H Range 20-50 Ferritin 18 Range 11-307 TSH 2.08 Range 0.40-4.20 Cholesterol 231 Range 100-200 Test after 120mg of Armour 8/27/03: WBC 3.13L Range 3.90-10.60 RBC 3.70L Range 4.20-5.40 HGB 11.1L Range 13.0-18.0 HCT 32.6L Range 35.0-47.0 TIBC 274 Range 240-450 Iron 76 Range 30-160 % Saturation 28 Range 20-50 Ferritin NOT tested this time TSH 0.03 Range 0.40-4.20 Cholesterol 187Range 150-200 Free T4 1.3 Range 0.7-1.6 Free T3 4.5H Range 2.2-4.0 T3 Uptake 39H Range 23-37 Total T3 203H Range 70-180 DHEA 3.4 Range 1.9-7.6 Testosterone 15 Range 4-70 Re: Re: in Va > Have you ever had your ferritin tested before? This was the first time for me. Someone on Shomon's > forum had mentioned having it tested, so I did. I was relieved that it wasn't low! Now I find it might be too > high. I had heard of hemochromatosis before. It makes sense to test for it sense it can do so much damage > if it's ignored. > in Va. > > It's an overload of info I think...hard to sort it all out...after I read it > I thought " boy I hope that I'm not OD'ing on iron " > A soon as I can afford it I have to get my blood work done ....it's been > since last August...so it's time... > > Best to you, > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.