I wanted to post about my health history with both HH and Chronic Lyme Disease to share information with others with the same conditions.  I'm male, and was 53 in Sept. 2014 when I had a wellness test run which included ferritin - high at 1802 ng/ml.  Unfortunately the doctor only focused on other numbers that were out of range and not ferritin.  A couple months later I researched potential causes of high ferritin which lead me to the www.celticcurse.org website.  This site shows how to look at your 23andme.com genetic data to see if you have HH.  Fortunately I had run the 23andme DNA test months ago and upon inspection of that data found I was homozygous C282Y.  It took 5 weeks and two doctors to get phlebotomies started even though I presented clear evidence I had HH.  My first hematologist even ordered the specific genetic test (at a cost of $800, not covered by insurance) even after I already presented genetic data confirmation.  If you haven't inferred, yes with late diagnosed HH and CLD, my opinion of doctors is not very good.  I did 4 weekly phlebotomies initially and then less frequently( every two or three weeks) to allow my body to fight CLD.  As of late Aug 2016 I have done 36 phlebotomies and ferritin is down to 27.  Ferritin did jump around a lot on the way down.  My Transfer Saturation was always high around lower 50s which was measured before every ~third phlebotomy.  My TS finally came down to the mid 20s after the 32nd phlebotomy.  I can confirm 100% TS is terrible for brain fog!  100% is what I had back in Dec. 2014.  I'm not a drinker and fortunately my liver enzymes have always been OK.  I've also done coffee enemas to support CLD and detox.  Generally I feel better for a couple days after phlebotomies.  I think HH and CLD are responsible for my high blood pressure and the temporary lower blood volume after a phlebotomy seems to help.

Brief info on Chronic Lyme Disease - I don't want to go too far off topic but this is mostly how I think it relates to HH.  CLD is an infection typically caused by a tick bite and some symptoms can overlap HH.  Note - CLD is controversial among many doctors since many claim it does not even exist and testing can be inaccurate.  As my iron levels came down my brain fog and anxiety improved.  Lower back stiffness is much less.  Digestion is better.  It used to be I would be hungry within an hour after I eat and now nutrient absorption is better.  What is not better is where the chronic lyme biofilm infection remains - tendons in my forearms, lower rib cage, neck, and feet.  On phlebotomies the nurses often comment how my blood is darker than most which tells me the blood co-infection(s), which love iron and are often found with CLD, are still there even after supposed treatment.  With CLD many people report problems with joints but in me the Lyme bacteria loves the tendons and arteries.  In HH treatment is pretty well defined via phlebotomies but with CLD effective treatment is not clear after late discovery.  In all these diseases you want to catch them early!  I've made good progress with HH and not so much yet with CLD.  High iron level are bad for infections so hopefully now that I am back to more normal levels I have a better chance against CLD.

Wishing you well in your own health journey.

Mike.