World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week
World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week
World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week, took place this year between theĀ 1st ā 7th June.
Genetic Haemochromatosis, or the āCeltic Curseā is the UK and Ireland’s most inherited condition.
Randox can help you find out if you are at risk with a blood test from one of our Randox Health clinics, including our newly opened Clinic in Sandyford, Dublin.
The tests are available from Ā£69 and the results of which will be returned within 7-14 days. Randoxās easy-to-interpret Genetic Haemochromatosis risk report will provide a breakdown of your results and what they mean.
An optional remote appointment with a Randox genetic counsellor can also be made when booking. Early diagnosis enables early treatment to prevent ill health because of iron overload.
Haemochromatosis is a condition which causes people to absorb too much iron from their diets but many people are not aware of it despite over 9 million people in the UK estimated to have the genetic predisposition to haemochromatosis (or Iron overload disorder.)
Despite its commonplace, this condition is rarely diagnosed with only one in every five thousand receiving a diagnosis.
Symptoms can Include:Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
ā¢Ā Fatigue
ā¢ Palpitations
ā¢ Joint Pain
ā¢ Abdominal Pain
ā¢ Skin PigmentationĀ Ā
Haemochromatosis is an Autosomal Recessive disorder.
These type of disorders usually mean that men and women are equally likely to be affected, with Haemochromatosis however, men are more likely to be at risk than women.Ā
Women may be protected from iron overload due to physiological blood loss (menstruation and pregnancy) which can reduce theĀ iron overload.
Men living with haemochromatosis are ten-times more likely to be at risk of liver cancer and have twice the risk of developing dementia, if left undiagnosed or untreated.
Follow the link below to book: Haemochromatosis Test
Getting tested for Genetic Haemochromatosis
“When I reached my mid-fifties, a suffered a lot of fatigue and general body weakness. I worried that I had inherited genetic hemochromatosis from my mum. Randox Health gave me peace of mind that my symptoms were not down to an inherited condition, but dietary issues which were easily corrected.”
Hereditary haemochromatosis, which was discussed this morning on BBC Radio 4, causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. The BBC News report today said that Exeter University has found the condition could affect up to 20 times more people than earlier figures suggested.
It was believed to seriously affect about one in 100 carriers. But the new research has suggested the true level could be closer to one in 10 among female carriers, and one in five for men. This would make the genetic condition the UK’s most common genetic disorder.
Lead researcher Prof David Melzer commented;
“We’ve shown that hereditary haemochromatosis is actually a much more common and stealth disease, including in older people.”
Excess iron within those suffering from genetic heamochromatosis is stored in the organs, especially the liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
Prof Melzer said haemochromatosis was easy to treat if caught early enough, but was “difficult to spot,” with the main reason being that diagnosis is quite often made at a stage when much of the damage from the condition has already been done.
It is clear therefore that early diagnosis is key in successful management of genetic haemochromatosis.
If you are found to have excess levels of iron as a result of genetic haemochromatosis, treatment is relatively simple and consists of venesection (bloodletting.) The body makes more blood to replace that taken, and therefore uses up the excess stored iron.
Randox Health offers a specialised test for detecting genetic hemochromatosis so if you’re worried about developing symptoms, or already think you have developed symptoms – including fatigue, joint disease, skin problems, and sexual health issues – get in touch today.
Early diagnosis and treatment of GH can seriously improve the outcome for individuals with the condition, by preventing any further organ damage. Randox Health not only offers a test to screen for the genetic mutations most commonly associated with GH, we can also check at the same time for damage to other parts of the body as a result of high iron levels (e.g. diabetes, liver damage and heart damage).
Furthermore, if you do have GH, your close family members should also be screened for the condition.
Get in touch today to book your appointment. Phone 0800 2545 130 or email info@randoxhealth.com
