hemachromatosis help

[MantaRay]

Twinkle, I have haemochromatosis also. The good news is that it is rarely a problem for females until menopause, as we lose a lot of iron anyway. So instead of being on the low side of normal or low in iron like many women, we are just at the high end of normal.

We don't actually absorb much of the iron in food, so it's hard to significantly alter your iron levels from food. However the one thing I have found makes a big difference is vitamins. Vitamin C is well known as something which aids iron absorption but I have found that even multis without vitamin C raise my iron levels. So don't take vitamins tablets is my best advice, and also be wary of juice, citrus etc that are high in vitamin c.

HTH.

[feeb]

Hi there I also have heamochromatosis and dont have any different diet as i am a young menstruating female.

[*Twinkle*]

Thanks for your replies.

I have PCOS as well so I don't get my period at all. Thats half the problem I think! I also am not taking any vitamins at all. I am just so tired all the time, and have awful aches in my joints and just want it under control.

Thanks for your help

[feeb]

Be very careful with vitamin supplements as very few dont have iron in them! When i did find one my ob wasnt happy for me to take it as to many herbs etc that he wasnt happy for me to have.

maybe see a naturopath

good luck tiredness is hard work

[HotI]

Become a blood donor! Its a good way of lowering iron. People with haemochromatosis and really high levels can give blood more often than 3 monthly.

[feeb]

But if you have lived in UK between certain years you cant!!!!!!!!!!!! As I have

[MantaRay]

Twinkle, sorry, I didn't even think about the PCOS part. It probably is more of a problem for you than most young females. I think Kate is right - donating blood regularly is the best thing you can do. And make sure you have your iron tested regularly.

ETA - Feeb, if you can't donate blood but your iron levels are high, you can have a procedure in hossy which removes some blood. Just like giving blood actually but the blood isn't reused.

[HotI]

But if you have lived in UK between certain years you cant!!!!!!!!!!!! As I have

The Blood bank will still take your blood (if you have haemachromatosis), they just won't use it if you are ineligible to donate for other reasons. You have to get your dr to write a letter and contact the blood bank.