Hello Mary:

I hope you don't mind that I post a reminder that afib is one of the symptoms of
Iron Overload. Anyone wishing to follow-up, please email me at
belfor@... Usually, I get just a few questions...please help by
spreading the word to your friends, co-workers and your families. Unfortunately
too many people find out that their Serum Ferritin is too high after they have
been diagnosed with a disease. Thank you Mary. Glad you are doing fine.
Isabelle

JULY IS HEMOCHROMATOSIS/IRON OVERLOAD MONTH

Hemochromatosis also known as Iron Overload is not a blood disease, it is an
iron metabolism disorder. It is the most common inherited disorder in the
world, so it usually runs in families. Several blood tests can be done to check
your status and if the levels are above normal a simple treatment can be
initiated. If you are a blood donor, you are already doing what would be
initiated if you had high levels. The treatment for iron overload is periodic
blood withdrawals to help reduce iron that is stored in your body.

Symptoms of Iron Overload vary, but commonly there is fatigue, severe or mild
joint pain, atrial afibrillation(palpitations), an all year tan called bronzed
diabetes, lack of sexual desire, no of body hair or eyebrows, and a condition
callled iron fist, where some fingers of each hand remain in a clenched
position, as well as an elevated Hemoglobin. Men should try to keep their Hgb
at slightly below 15 and women slightly below 14, in order to help reduce
incidence of blood clots. In addition, it is so important to prevent
dehydration by drinking fluids frequently.

Many of the prevalent diseases such as Cirrhosis, Diabetes, Heart Disease,
Arthritis, Cancer and Breast Cancer, Alzheimer's and Age Related Macular
Degeneration could be postponed and maybe even prevented by maintaining the
Serum Ferritin between 25ng/ml and 75ng/ml and the Serum Transferrin Saturation
Percentage between 25-35%. These blood tests need to be done while fasting at
least 8 hours. It is thought that a low iron dinner meal consumed the evening
before the blood tests may reduce skewing of the results.

These blood values are much lower than what laboratories in the US state,
because they are the latest recommended values to maintain by Scientists and
Researchers. By giving blood you help the blood supply and help yourself. I
often say "when a person gives blood the life that is saved may well be
theirs." You may also elect to have therapeutic phlebotomies, your blood may be
saved and used later or thrown out (if you are on a blood thinner). Labs that
have an FDA variance can use the blood from someone who is healthy but has iron
overload. Anemic individuals have the option of chelation therapy. Hydrate
well before a phlebotomy, but do not overhydrate and have a small meal before a
250ml to 450ml blood withdrawal.

So, I urge you to please consider doing the tests yearly and then follow-up with
eating less red meat and less foods that are fortified with iron (especially
those higher than 4%) and limit vitamin C in pill form to 200mg per day or
juices or foods fortified with ascorbic acid. Five hundred (500)mg of vitamin C
daily is permitted if it is derived from fruits and vegetables. Drinking tea or
eating low fat dairy products with meals may help to reduce absorption and
storage of dietary iron.

Disclaimer.
The above is for educational purposes and is not to be construed as medical
advice…it is up to you to check this out at www.irondisorders.org/ or other
Hemochromatosis organizations.

You may also ask me questions....and/or give me feedback, please. Thank you.

Isabelle Bedell.,MPH
belfor@...
Volunteer at large for the Iron Disorders Institute, Greenville, SC