|
| |
Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload
What is Hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis occurs when the body
absorbs too much iron from foods (and other sources such as vitamins
containing iron). This disease causes extra iron to gradually build up
in the body’s tissues and organs, a term called
Iron Overload. If this iron buildup is untreated, it can, over
many years, damage the body’s organs.
What are the causes?
Although Hemochromatosis can have other
causes, in the United States the disease is usually caused by a genetic
disorder. A person who inherits the defective gene from both parents may
develop Hemochromatosis. The genetic defect
of Hemochromatosis is present at birth, but
symptoms rarely appear before adulthood. Because one inherits genes from
his or her parents, this type of the disease is also called
Hereditary Hemochromatosis.
What are the symptoms?
Early indications of Hemochromatosis
include the following symptoms:
Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Weakness
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Joint pain
Because these symptoms also occur with other diseases,
Hemochromatosis can be difficult to
diagnose in its early stages.
How is it detected?
The iron overload associated with Hemochromatosis
can be detected through two blood tests (Transferrin Saturation (TS)
test and Serum Ferritin (SF) test). The tests measure how much iron is
in the body. If these tests show that you have too much iron in your
body, you will need to start phlebotomy (pronounced “fle-bot-o-me”)
treatment. You can have these tests done in your doctor’s office.
If Hemochromatosis is detected early,
treatment can slow its progress and prevent serious problems. However,
if the disease is not detected and treated early, it can cause more
serious problems. These problems include arthritis, heart problems, and
liver problems (such as cirrhosis and liver cancer).
What is the treatment?
Treatment consists of periodically taking blood from the arm, much like
giving blood. The treatment is safe and effective. Patients can expect a
normal life span if they start treatment before organ damage has begun.
Self-Care Tips
There is much you can do to make sure your life is as normal and
healthy as possible.
- Check-ups: Have the amount of
iron in your blood checked regularly.
|
- Phlebotomy: Make sure to get
phlebotomies when you need them.
|
- Iron pills: Don’t take iron
pills, supplements, or multivitamin supplements that have iron in
them. Eating foods that contain iron is fine.
|
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C increases
the amount of iron your body absorbs. Avoid taking pills with more
than 500 mg of vitamin C per day. Eating foods with vitamin C
(such as oranges) is fine.
|
- Food: Don’t eat raw fish or raw
shellfish. Cooking destroys germs harmful to people with
Hemochromatosis. People with
Hemochromatosis are at greater risk
for bacteremia, a bacterial infection of the blood stream.
|
- Alcohol: If you choose to drink
alcohol, drink very little. Women should have no more than one
drink a day. Men should have no more than two drinks a day.
However, if you have liver damage, do not drink any alcohol.
|
- Exercise: You can exercise as
much as you want. The CDC and the American College of Sports
Medicine offers the following physical activity recommendations:
Adults should engage in moderate-intensity physical activities
(indicated by some increase in breathing or heart rate) for at
least 30 minutes on most preferably all days of the week.
|
Key Point
Phlebotomy is the best treatment for
Hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis
cannot be treated by changing your diet alone.
|
Content source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Hereditary
Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities.
Treatment with Phlebotomy (blood letting)
Initially, you will have to go through an iron reduction phase.
Each phlebotomy will consist of approx. one pint of blood. Drink
plenty of water beforehand to help increase the blood flow and
shorten the length of time to give blood. The number of phlebotomies
per year during the iron reduction phase will differ for each
individual. You might have to give blood multiple times a month
until your Serum Ferritin level reaches an acceptable number (some
say 50 ng/mL, some say 100 ng/mL) check with your physician. Once an
acceptable Serum Ferritin level is reached then your physician will
put you on a long-term maintenance plan (maintenance phase)
which means less phlebotomies per year.
IMPORTANT: As you phlebotomize you will need to keep an eye on your
hemoglobin level as well. The acceptable range is 14 - 18 G/DL. |
|
|
Newfound Care®
Ironless
Energy™ Multivitamin
Multivitamin for
Individuals with Excess Iron
(Contains Iron Absorption Inhibitors*)
|
Does not contain:
ingredients that are known to help increase iron
absorption
(Iron, Vitamin C, etc..).
Contains: a special
blend of Vitamins (Vit E, certain Vit B's, etc..)
and Minerals,
including those that help inhibit iron absorption (iron
blockers).
Newfound Care®
Ironless
Energy™ Multivitamin
is a Daily Advanced Formula
that does NOT contain: ingredients
that are known to help increase iron absorption (Iron, Vitamin C,
etc..). Instead, it
contains a special blend of premium quality vitamins and minerals that are beneficial during
phlebotomies which some are known to be
iron absorption inhibitors (iron blockers).
|
|
Directions:
As a dietary supplement for
adults, take four tablets once a day with food, or as directed
by a healthcare professional. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
Consult a healthcare professional
before using this product if you are under doctor’s care,
taking medication, pregnant, or nursing.
Store in cool, dry place. Do not use this
product if the safety seal on the bottle is broken. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Made in the U.S.A. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, gelatin,
gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allergen information: Contains soy ingredient. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent a disease.
Out-of-Stock!
To be notified when it is in stock,
Click
Here!
|
|
|
|
|
