Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

[Guest guest]

Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

A genetic defect that causes iron overload disease is the most common

inherited disorder among whites, affecting one in 188 people of northern

European descent. The study found that a simple test caught 94 percent of

people with the inherited flaw.

However, the defect in the HLE gene does not account for all inherited

forms of the disease, known as hemochromatosis. Other flawed genes

apparently cause the disease in other ethnic groups. In hemochromatosis, the

body is unable to get rid of excess iron. Over time, iron accumulation in

the organs can cause skin discoloration, arthritis, diabetes, liver disease

and heart failure.

The only effective treatment is bloodletting. If untreated, men

generally start suffering permanent liver damage and other problems in their

mid-40s; women usually don't get sick until a decade later, probably because

they have lost blood regularly through menstruation and childbirth.

New England Journal of Medicine September 2, 1999.

COMMENT: This is an important observation, as heart disease is, of

course, the number one cause of death in this country. About one in every

200 people have this problem of iron overload, most of whom are unaware of

it.

The simple screening test to check for this problem is the serum

ferritin level. It should be below 80. If it is significantly above 100,

there is a high likelihood of hemochromatosis. As the article states, the

only known treatment at this time is therapeutic phlebotomy, having one's

blood donated every month or so. This will prevent high levels of iron from

accumulating and causing severe problems with oxidation reactions that

accelerate the aging process and increase the risk for heart disease. I

screen all of our heart disease patients for this and I probably see it on

nearly ten percent of these patients.

[Guest guest]

Have you noticed that so many of the disorders common to OUR disease come

from the Northern European distinction? My family, on my father's side is

strong German, while my mom's side is German, British, and Scotch, for the

most part. Both sides have thyroid disease scattered out. I had a hyst

back 17 yrs ago, so I shudder to think about iron anemia at this point,

during the long chronic thyroid undertreatment. This may be the ONLY reason

why I haven't had the iron anemia, BUT, I never even did when I was having

those grossly heavy periods or during 4 pregnancies either, so I'm thinking

that my racial origin might have something to do with this. In other words,

if it weren't for the disorders that I've had already and the heavy bleeding

at that time and some other factors, I might have been a candidate for iron

overload, who knows.

Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron

Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

> Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

>

> A genetic defect that causes iron overload disease is the most

common

> inherited disorder among whites, affecting one in 188 people of northern

> European descent. The study found that a simple test caught 94 percent of

> people with the inherited flaw.

[Guest guest]

That IS a very high ferritin value, even though the normals say clear up to

200 something. Also, when the blood is overthickened, the viscosity causes

more work for the heart, barring there is no blood volume problem. There

are many factors involved here. We don't want the blood to clot so easily,

yet we want it to clot somewhat. Complicated, I know.

Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron

Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

> Oh, great! My ferritin level is 125. It says normal is 10-291. Whose

comments are at the bottom? Is it Dr.

> Mercola or someone else?

> in Va.

>

>

> Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

[Guest guest]

So the amount of iron affects the thickness of blood? I know it mentioned heart

problems with the high ferritin. I just wonder if my doctor would take it

seriously since the normal range says 10-291. Wonder if I should take gingko

biloba again. If I mention it to my doctor, at least maybe I could get her to

check it more often to see if it goes up any more. Also would it be a good idea

to check the transferritin?

in Va.

Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron

Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

> Oh, great! My ferritin level is 125. It says normal is 10-291. Whose

comments are at the bottom? Is it Dr.

> Mercola or someone else?

> in Va.

>

>

> Iron Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

I need to see my doctor for my physical soon. So I'm going to try to remember to

ask for this.

I also have some questionable looking moles to check and a growth inside my

bottom lip. Very

annoying.

in Va.

Re: Re: The low down on ferritin/Iron

Overload Disorder Common and Increases Risk for Heart Attacks

> So the amount of iron affects the thickness of blood? I know it mentioned

heart problems with the high ferritin. I just wonder if my doctor would take

it seriously since the normal range says 10-291. Wonder if I should take

gingko biloba again. If I mention it to my doctor, at least maybe I could

get her to check it more often to see if it goes up any more. Also would it

be a good idea to check the transferritin?

> in Va.