The Iron Disorders Institute Guide to Hemochromatosis

by Garrison, Cheryl D.; Phatak, P.D., M.D.; Weinberg, E.D., Ph.D.; Burke, Wylie, Ph.D., M.D.; Iron Disorders Institute

• ISBN13: 9781581821604
• ISBN10: 1581821603
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Cumberland House

Summary

Hemochromatosis is one of modern medicine's greatest oversights. An inherited disorder of iron metabolism -- not a blood disease -- it is frequently misdiagnosed as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, impotence, depression, and liver disease. Common among people of northern European descent, it is most prominent among those of Scotch-Irish, British, German, French, and Scandinavian ancestry. Undetected, it can kill.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Dr. Herbert Bonkovsky
Acknowledgments	xiii
Cheryl D. Garrison
Introduction - A Message from the Founders of the Iron Disorders Institute	xv
Part One: Iron---A Little Bit Goes a Long Way
Hemochromatosis---Not Just a Rare, Older Man's Disease	3	(8)
Iron in Your Body	11	(10)
Our One-Sided View of Iron	21	(2)
Iron Imbalances---Not Always What They Seem	23	(14)
Part Two: Detecting and Diagnosing Hemochromatosis
Why Some Doctors Miss the Diagnosis of Hemochromatosis	37	(6)
How Do I Know If I Have Iron Overload?	43	(8)
Clues That Can Lead to Diagnosis	51	(8)
Benefits of Screening for Hemochromatosis	59	(6)
HFE Mutations Explained	65	(4)
The Role of a Genetics Counselor	69	(2)
Who Is a Candidate for Genetic Testing?	71	(6)
Part Three: Symptoms of Iron Overload
Studies, Surveys, and Patient Interviews	77	(6)
Living with Undetected Hemochromatosis	83	(22)
Body Systems and Excess Iron	105	(24)
Part Four: Hemochromatosis, not the Only Iron Loading Disorder
Other Conditions That Can Cause Iron Overload Disease	129	(10)
Various Roles of Ferritin	139	(8)
Part Five: Battles with Hemochromatosis---Won or Lost
Vital Messages from Two Carriers---The Stories of Chris Main and Charlie Herr	147	(6)
Mother, Wife, and Friend---The Story of Irene de Sterke	153	(6)
Poet, Brother, Husband, and Son---The Story of Sam Martin	159	(4)
One of the First Documented U.S. Cases---The Story of Jack Ritter	163	(8)
Two Brothers Spared, Thanks to One Sharp Physician---The Story of Cliff and Chris	171	(4)
One Man's Advice---The Story of Tug Nix	175	(4)
One More Reason to Stop Smoking---The Story of Two Swiss Children	179	(4)
Part Six: Taking Care of Yourself
Individualizing Treatment	183	(10)
Therapeutic Phlebotomy Explained	193	(4)
Treatment Options	197	(12)
Why Is the Blood Thrown Away?	209	(4)
Keeping Iron in Balance with Diet and Preventive Measures	213	(30)
Part Seven: Support Across the Usa and Around the World
About the Iron Disorders Institute	243	(12)
International Alliances	255	(12)
Role of Government Health Agencies	267	(14)
Commonly Asked Questions and Answers	281	(8)
Glossary of Terms	289	(42)
Contacts	331	(16)
Bibliography	347	(8)
Index	355