Hemochromatosis Support Group

Hi sclan5,
I myself, go to a Gastroenterologist. He diagnosed me almost two years ago. I feel that he saved my life.
Patty

I saw a hematologist, Once I had all the info from him I only have to see my GP now.

I see a hematologist. Whatever type of specialist you see, make sure they know the condition well. There are a surprising number of doctors who don't know much about it.

I see a Hemotologist. I would recommend making sure what ever doctor you see knows there stuff. some doctors are not well informed of HH.

The first thing I was going to ask is where you are located. An oncologist for HH seems very bizarre to me unless there are complicatioins which you did not mention. My primary doctor in Manhattan NY first caught this in me, then was sent to a Hematologist who was well informed about this issue. Remember, even in the major medical city in the US, most doctors are not educated or aware of HH and have no experience regarding HH. When you leave the US, there seems to be more education and awareness. I have been treated both in Mexico and Argentina where the doctors I saw were actually more informed than my doctors in New York City! I recommend you research HH on the internet, there is a lot of info there, far more than any US doctor would probably know. Good luck, keep us informed.
GageL

I have been to both hematologists and gastroenterologists over the years (almost 13 years now). I have bad veins (two ports and a PICC) and prefer to go to a hematologist because that where the best nurses are for someone like me. I basically decide if I need a phleb based on the blood work (my hematologist is really nice and recognizes the importance of patient input). I try to keep up to date on HH and its treatment.

sclan5,

I was diagnosed by a holistic doctor of rheumatoid athritis who did not handle HH. I was never diagnosed by my Gastroenterologist though I had the symptoms after gallbladder removal. I chose to
I go to a Hematologist/Oncology practice. I knew that Hematologists dealt with blood. I thought it strange that Hematology and Oncology was in the same practice. I think some of the doctors in the practice deal with hematology, others with chemotherapy. The blood disorders require removal or transfusion of blood. Chemotherapy requires monitoring of blood and drugs. I think that somehow in medical science there is a relationship.

Seven years ago I was diagnosed by an internist but I have gone to Onocologist because they are better at dealing with the iron levels and determining when I need a phelbotomy. Your father in law is lucky to have been diagnosed 1 out of 14 North European Male can have it and american doctors have a tendacny to trreat the secondary symptoms not the cause which is all the iron. I do hope your father-in-law is watching his consumption of iron enriched products and liver and spinach. My levels went down quickly so did not need as many phelbotomies when I chose to do this.