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Iron overload and hemochromatosis

Posted by jenny0218 @jenny0218, Mar 6, 2025

Hi, I’m a 65 year old woman. I just had a routine blood lab work and my iron level is 3-4 times higher than it should be. I’m testing tomorrow for the hemochromatosis gene. I’m scared of what this is.
Most of my health complaints I attribute to age as well as the past 5 years of high stress—arthritis, fatigue, depression, and chest pressure.
Thanks for any info and help.

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jules725 | @jules725 | Jun 23 4:29am
In reply to @chriseliz "I feel for you. I have only one of the genes. However I developed porphyria cutanea..." + (show)
Profile picture for chriseliz @chriseliz

I feel for you. I have only one of the genes. However I developed porphyria cutanea tarda and have been receiving phlebotomy treatment for several months. My iron is now down to the correct level. I've been told that the level will probably go up again since iron is in so many foods. Best of luck to you.

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@chriseliz Me too!

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amberl99 | @amberl99 | Jun 24 9:15am

Same age, also being tested for this. I get specific labs drawn every four months for something else, so this test isn’t going to be done until August, thus I have to wait. I don’t like waiting. Let me know what you find out. All the best.

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jfranz60 | @jfranz60 | Jun 24 9:21am
In reply to @dwt1965 "I was told there was no dietary restrictions" + (show)
Profile picture for dwt1965 @dwt1965

I was told there was no dietary restrictions

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@dwt1965 I was told you can’t really control it with diet. But I do try to watch what I eat. I have a monthly phlebotomy — trying to get my ferritin to 50. My high was about 600. I also have jak2 ET… so trying to balance it all.

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