Iron overload can cause problems

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 59 and was just diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. I found a book online that was very expensive. I have had three phlebotomies and feel so tired afterwards. I am being treated by a gastro doctor. My family doctor referred me to him because of high iron and other test results, gene study, etc.

The disorder appears to be a little rare, evidently because some of the doctors I have contacted need to read or do some research on what treatment to prescribe. Where is the best place to get information?

DEAR READER: Hemochromatosis is an inherited, somewhat uncommon disorder caused by excess iron being absorbed from the foods we eat. Over time, the excesses accumulate in bodily tissues throughout [Read more...]

Iron overload treated one way

DEAR DR. GOTT: My mother is 81 years old. She has a problem with producing too much iron in her blood. The only treatment that we are aware of is to have blood drawn off when the count gets too high. What causes this? Is it hereditary? What can we do to keep the count low? Please let me know whether there is a relationship to the environment or food. Also, when the count starts to get high, her head starts to itch and she feels totally worn out. Can you help us?

My mother is on warfarin for blood clots in her legs (twice), calcium plus D, Actonel once a month, methotrexate for arthritis, folic acid and PreserVision for degeneration of her eyes.
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