Hemochromatosis Support Group

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.

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Gastrointestinal System
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Acid Reflux medicine inhibits Iron absorption

Michael2813
Michael2813
Here is a link to a very interesting article that indicates that protein pump inhibitors(PPI) significantly reduce the amout of phlebotamies required to maintain Ferritin levels( reduced form 5 phlebs annually to 1 phleb annuallly).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1954964/

Evidiently reduc tion of stomach acid effect the non-heme iron absorption which is normall two thirds of our iron absorption.
GageL
GageL
Very interesting indeed but I wonder if the side effects of regular ingestion of PPi's are worth it especially for patient's who are in maintenance mode?
Michael2813
Michael2813
I agree with your comment on side effects if you are doing fine with maintainence phlebotamies. However, there are some that struggle with phlebotamies so that was the main intention of the post.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just saw your message about proton pump inhibitors (I obviously don't log into this group very often). Thank you sooo much for posting that. My doctors and I have been going crazy trying to figure out why my ferritin has hardly moved up in 2 years! When I read your message, the light bulb went on.

Two years ago I developed a serious gastric problem and have been on a high dose of omazeprole since then. When I started the PPI, I had just gotten to a ferritin level of 35. My doctors took me down that low because I had a history of loading quickly. However, it has taken me TWO YEARS to get back up to a ferritin level of 50! I told my doctors about that paper and they are researching it to see if that's why my levels stayed so low for so long.

I wonder if using a PPI could be considered as therapy instead of phlebotomies, once a person has gotten to a maintenance level. It sure would be easier than getting bled all the time!
mike1126
mike1126
im possibly having the same isssue. last year the doctor put me on this medicine daily to reduce my acid reflux, and now my ferritin level does not seem to climb.
MissSophie
MissSophie
I would hate to see how high my iron would be without the PPi's. I have been on them for 10 years..I still have phlebs every month. I just look at a steak & my iron goes up...the only time it doesn't go up is if I have internal bleeding..