Ferritin levels keep rising, but it seems like I do not have hemochromatosis?

July 24, 2009

Hello everyone,

As mentioned earlier, I went to a private doctor to get the gene test for

hemochromatosis in addition to some other tests he wanted to take.

The doc is on vacation for another three weeks, so I won`t hear from him anytime

soon.

I did however call his office today to retrieve the results of the gene test.

His secretary was kind enough to go through his mail and find the results for

me.

The test is sent to another hospital and what they wrote were something along

the lines of; " The patient does not have hereditary hemochromatosis, but

remember that this test alone does not rule out every case, etc, etc " .

Something to that effect at least. We did not understand it completely either of

us and I was in a hurry so I could not ask her to re-read it. Guess I will have

to wait for the doc for a final answer.

Regarding ferritin, it has now risen to 430 from 400 in the middle of May.

I think the doc also tested for transferrin saturation, so I`m curious to hear

from him.

From what I read, there are a certain cases where the gene test does not detect

hemochromatosis and a liver biopsy needed.

On the other hand, I`ve been feeling quite decent lately. That, or maybe I`m

just so used to feeling miserable that it has become second nature.

Could it be possible that I do not have hemochromatosis, but iron overload none

the less?

I have eaten lots of meat in the past (have tried cutting some now), but as far

as I have read, a healthy body is capable of disposing of excess iron from food.

I have registered for blood donation, but have not heard from them yet. I will

call them on monday.

Thanks for reading. You guys are the only one I can talk to about this. No

doctors or people in my social network really have a clue.

Kind regards,

ny

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