Heamachromatosis

Male age 33 recently diagnosed. Had my first venesection yesterday. Absolutely nothing to worry about giving the blood.

I had raised lft results and after two years of tests the consultant suggested test for this. I am the only family to have this. Ferritin levels of around 600 at present. Suggested i have venesection every two weeks until levels are below 50 then quartley checks.

Hopefully life will carry on as normal. Although the total alcohol ban seems excessive but if thats the advice I will follow it. sad

Finding it hard to get accurate food iron level advice. anyone know any good sites? should i avoid red meat altogether, also cereal, spinach etc or just cut down?

Hello there, your lucky having blood taken so easy! I have terrible trouble! I know it should be the easiest thing in the world and hundreds of people give it daily. I have been diagnosed with high iron and have had 5 venesection. I avooiid red meat and veggies like spinach, liver and offal. I ddo eat a steak occasionally tho. Good luck to you and hope it doesn't affect you too badly. Make sure you get your siblings and family members checked too

Hi, Guest, in case, it's helpful, here's what the Canadian hemochromatosis site, http://www.toomuchiron.ca/hemochromatosis/dietary-precautions/ has to say about diet in hemochromatosis.

Hi Friend.  I would suggest that you carry on with your life in the way you did before you got diagnosed, because leaving those good things out can be very boring.

I wasn't told about about stopping any Alcohol and contuine to drink it when i go out.

As for the food, just keep away from those that are really high in Iron,like Cerals,Spinach, liver, and Guinness. That said, 'one nurse did say that 'once in a blue moon', wont do you any harm. I love Liver,so i have it once,and leave it out for another 2/3 months, even longer sometimes

Lets face it, so many things have some Iron in,you'd go mad trying to work out whats good and what's not.