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.
I am a 57 year old female. I was just diagnosed with HHC. My fasting Ferritin level about a month ago was 472. It is now at 400. (changed my diet up a bit.) I am starting phlebotomy next week. So far, I am in pretty good shape, I thinks my Dr discovered this early enough, everything else in my CBC panel is good. I do have my foggy tired moments and Palindromic Rhuematism (auto-immune disease, mostly under control, rare flare ups) as well. My hope is that when I get my Ferritin level down, that I the remaining symptoms of my auto-immune disease go away as well. anyone have any experience with HHC and auto-immune diseases? How they react to lower iron levels?
and arthritis/weakness in hands...It has not improved with phlebs. Pain in thumb joints and snagging in the knuckles began after a hysterectomy (bad decision) in 2001. Sorry to say it has not dissipated with therapy, but who knows? The phlebs may have helped keep the pain from spreading..I wish you well in regaining your health.