I have it, but because of the phlebs it's under control. I guess bleeding also pulls/reduces the glucose in the body - at least that's what the doc tells me. I was taking metformin, but since my A1Cs are normal I don't take any medication. I do exercise and watch my diet. Your brother should definetly get checked, because diabetes is a symptom of HH.

Well, I don't have it, I don't think anyway. But, my grandmother and aunt have type II diabetes. I guess it's in the genes. I need to go in fasting for blood test. We all have thyroid problems. Glad you asked. LOL. Suzq.

rick, thats good to hear . i was hoping my cholesterol would be lower with blood draws, but it stayed about the same. every doctor i asked that question to, looked very puzzled.

In my research on HH, i have come acroos several articles that lowering the stored iron in the body helps reduce the effects of type II diabetes, gout, etc.

Rick, phlebotamies do directionally lower the A1c numbers due to the blood cells replaced not having the same time in your body before the A1c test.

You should maybe also consider "Diabetes Insipidus"

PS. I dont' have "normal" diabetes (tested 2x) but seem to have symptoms for Diabetes Insipidus but guess the normal diabetes test doesn't identify that as you seem to have to do a "fluid deprivation test" so maybe I really do have diabetes (insipidus)

jbelar, Maybe if you share my husbands story with your brother it might convince him to be tested for HH. My husband tested early this year for HH and is homozygous for C282Y. Seven years ago he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (no known family history of diabetes), high blood pressure and high cholestrol. For last 7 years hasn't felt well and did tell the doctor at each of his visits. Doctor told him it was the diabetes to lose weight, excercise more and to continue taking his medicine that he'd feel better. At some point even increased his diabtetes medicine. Well, he did lose weight and excercised more nothing changed he still didn't feel good. Two years ago his liver enzymes were slightly elevated, but was told they'd check it again at next appointment. At that visit still elevated and the doctor took him off cholestrol med thinking that was the cause. After being off the cholestrol medicine for 6 months the enzymes elevated more. It was at this point she ordered blood tests to check his iron and did a DNA test. The results came back she gave my husband the news and said sorry, we screwed up and missed this. She referred him to a gastroenterologist who ordered a liver biospy, CT scan and MRI and he was diagnosed with Cirrohosis of the liver. This doctor told him that the HH mostly likely has been working on him for 10 years now and that the diabetes 2 was more than likely brought on by HH.

Just to clarify my previous post:
A normal diabetes test will NOT find Diabetes Insipidus (DI) as it's completely unrelated to insulin & thus diabetes mellitus.

DI is considered a "rare" disease, however it doesn't appear to be associated with HH (for the most part, very few studies done between the two) so not tested for. This study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12148115
suggests it may not be quite so rare in HH patients.
Also from the "always-tired-thirsty-and-peeing" post (link below) and my condition it would possibly seem to be a milder form of DI that we may have (if indeed we do).

More info here
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/insipidus/

See also my previous posts in this thread
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hemochromatosis/forum/12662230-always-tired-thirsty-and-peeing