I am new to this message board and looking for anyone who has heard of, or has, hemochromatosis. It is also known as iron overload. I responded several days ago to 2kool's message. Thanks!

I have Hemochromitosis. First discovered this after my sister was diagnosed. Rare in women, due to monthlys. I had myself checked because this is hereditary. Found out my ferritan count was about 1450! Sky high. "Normal" in a man is 50 - 300. Mine is now about 150. Once you get the iron count down through giving blood, it takes a long time to build back up. Left untreated, it's usually discovered at about 45 years of age, when liver problems develope.

One point....hemachromatosis is NOT the same thing as iron overload. It can result in an iron overload, but that's a different story. Hemachromatosis is a problem where the body has trouble storing/transporting iron properly. As a result, iron deposits in different organs, and the main ones include the liver and pancreas which can result in liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus respectively.

How are you guys treated? With routine phlebotomy? Have you had to get any investigations for esophageal varices or stuff like that?

Thanks...Clyde and you are right. Women don't usually have problems until after menopause but I was having very unusually light monthlys for about a year and it began to show up. Also, whenever I have taken vitamins with iron I have had severe shakiness, achy joints, and heart palpitations. I have also had SEVERE back pain and not sure if it is related or not. Have you guys had any of the same symptoms? The reason it wasn't diagnosed as hemochromotosis is that I would take the iron supplements when I was going to be going through "stressful" times. So, the diagnosis was always stress. Now, come to find out it was the iron causing the problems. The doctor wants me to have one more iron test before an "official" diagnosis. On my lab results I don't see ferratin...just iron. Is this the same or a separate test? My iron was 210, with normal being 30-160. Clyde...do you give blood at a blood bank and how often? Thanks for your help! Projapoti...I haven't had any of the tests or investigations you mentioned. Is this something different or does it go along with hemochromotosis? Thanks!