Hemochromatosis Support Group

We all load iron at different rates, I load very fast. Are you male or female? How old are you? Do you donate blood regularly to the red cross? Do you drink alcohol or eat red meat? All thes questions can give some clue into why we load or don't load iron. Maybe you caught the disease before you started loading and you are right you are lucky. Gidget

I am female in my forties. Was diagnosed at the beginning of my forties. Never donate blood as I cannot handle needles. Don't drink alcohol but eat some red meat. I am aware of the food restrictions but I don't have to worry about that yet. I am not menopausal. At least I have follow ups with a hematologist

Yes as long as you follow-up every year with your blood tests you will do great because as soon as your ferritin stars goint up, start thinking about a phlebotomy.

Oh you bet I will!!!!

A woman I knew a few years back told me her grandmother had had HH yet did not load iron. I was very surprised. Her grandmother lived into her nineties.

Hi dasha,
Know that iron comes in different forms, the ferritin is what would be elevated if you are loading iron, as well as your % saturation. You are born with your mutations, the loading of iron could begin at any age... and could be affected by periods and food intake. My son was diagnosed at age 14, his % is high, ferritin still under 100... we know that he is beginning stage, but nothing but monitoring will determine how fast he will load.
Theresa

Well thanks to all of you that made this iron loading thing clear. I get checked by my Hematologist every year which is great.