Looks like hemochromatosis

[halfape211]

According to several sources, a person may have hemochromatosis if their Iron saturation is above 40% or 45%.
Here are my numbers:
Iron and TIBC
Iron Bind.Cap.(TIBC) 298 250-450 ug/dL 01
UIBC 149 111-343 ug/dL 01
Iron, Serum 149 38-169 ug/dL 01
Iron Saturation 50 15-55 % 01
Ferritin, Serum
Ferritin, Serum 81 30-400 ng/mL 01
Reticulocyte Count
Reticulocyte Count 0.8 0.6-2.6 % 01

And Hemocrit was 54.1 from previous recent blood test
Anybody have this problem? Anybody getting any symptoms like tiredness, etc, for high Iron in the blood. any advice?

 

[cbburrr]

I get pretty high iron levels, I think its common in Irish people. I donate blood and try to ease up on my dietary iron. I love my Chex cereal, but a normal bowl has 200% of the RDA of iron.

 

[tooth]

I'm getting the iron test tomorrow. An endo I saw wants to rule out hemochromatosis. I got a feeling I'm in the same boat, but I'll know in a week. Even though I donated blood in January, blood tests I took in February came back with an elevated rbc, and hematocrit.

I must be hungry, because that bowl of Chex sounds pretty good right now.

 

[halfwit]

According to several sources, a person may have hemochromatosis if their Iron saturation is above 40% or 45%.
Here are my numbers:
Iron and TIBC
Iron Bind.Cap.(TIBC) 298 250-450 ug/dL 01
UIBC 149 111-343 ug/dL 01
Iron, Serum 149 38-169 ug/dL 01
Iron Saturation 50 15-55 % 01
Ferritin, Serum
Ferritin, Serum 81 30-400 ng/mL 01
Reticulocyte Count
Reticulocyte Count 0.8 0.6-2.6 % 01

And Hemocrit was 54.1 from previous recent blood test
Anybody have this problem? Anybody getting any symptoms like tiredness, etc, for high Iron in the blood. any advice?

Donate blood. It will come down.

I'm assuming that iron saturation is based off hemoglobin, as that's pretty much where most iron tests pull from. If a blood donation doesn't reduce your iron (notice your ferritin is on the lower side, ferritin is the "reserve bank" for iron stores, so donating should have a huge impact for you.), I would definitely talk to a doctor as there may be a possible less common issue going on.

My .02c

 

[halfape211]

Donate blood. It will come down.

"I'm assuming that iron saturation is based off hemoglobin, as that's pretty much where most iron tests pull from."

from internet: Iron is a mineral that is essential for hemoglobin (a protein in the red blood cells) to properly carry oxygen. Seventy percent of the iron in the body is bound to hemoglobin, so when doctors run an iron saturation level test, they are determining how well the body binds and transports iron.

Using the serum iron level (SI) and the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (TIBC), the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (TS%) is calculated. Normally, the TS% is between 20% and 40%. A TS% greater than 45% indicates iron loading, which is a build up of iron in the blood. This can lead to serious problems including arthritis, diabetes and liver cirrhosis. A TS% less than 20% indicates iron deficiency, which can lead to chronic illnesses.

"If a blood donation doesn't reduce your iron (notice your ferritin is on the lower side, ferritin is the "reserve bank" for iron stores, so donating should have a huge impact for you.), I would definitely talk to a doctor as there may be a possible less common issue going on."

I donated yesterday and will see doctor soon. About 20 years ago, I remember a doctor telling me about this, but I never gave it much thought. Now that I have diabetes, low T and god knows what else I will check it out ASAP.

 

[halfwit]

Please keep us posted!

 

[tooth]

What was your hct prior to trt? How are they managing this for you?

Thanks
Tooth

 

[halfape211]

What was your hct prior to trt? How are they managing this for you?

Thanks
Tooth

I have no baseline numbers prior to TRT. For management of this I will be donating blood. Not sure if giving more often thru Phlebotomy yet. to be worked out on next visit to doctor

 

[halfape211]

Doctor says my Ferritin level is low so I'm ok. From what I read I think he is wrong based on this from internet:

"Iron is a mineral that is essential for hemoglobin (a protein in the red blood cells) to properly carry oxygen. Seventy percent of the iron in the body is bound to hemoglobin, so when doctors run an iron saturation level test, they are determining how well the body binds and transports iron.

Using the serum iron level (SI) and the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (TIBC), the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (TS%) is calculated. Normally, the TS% is between 20% and 40%. A TS% greater than 45% indicates iron loading, which is a build up of iron in the blood. This can lead to serious problems including arthritis, diabetes and liver cirrhosis. A TS% less than 20% indicates iron deficiency, which can lead to chronic illnesses."

Anybody here know about this stuff??

 

[halfwit]

Have you donated yet? It's a fact that exogenous androgens cause red marrow to release red blood cells at an accelerated rate. This is ultimately what leads to the issue you're facing.

I haven't done much more research on actual iron saturation as hematocrit is almost identical as a marker for both risk and significance. Someone else might chime in though that has gone through something similar and can identify the actual differences, and what that may mean for you.

 

[halfape211]

Yes I have donated and will again in a few weeks to see if numbers move down. I was hoping for regular phlebotomy sessions, but Doc says I'm fine. If there's one thing I learned here is to double check doctors advice.

 

[halfwit]

Yes I have donated and will again in a few weeks to see if numbers move down. I was hoping for regular phlebotomy sessions, but Doc says I'm fine. If there's one thing I learned here is to double check doctors advice.

Every 56 days should be sufficient. If you still have issues, I'd look into platelet apheresis - it can be done every week, and reduces hematocrit as well.

 

[halfape211]

Every 56 days should be sufficient. If you still have issues, I'd look into platelet apheresis - it can be done every week, and reduces hematocrit as well.

Thanks halfwit. I'm going to give blood as often as I can, up to the limit you suggest, but I have to do it when in the USA. I was just turned down in Canada (forever), because I had a minor heart attack 2 years ago!!

With regards to feeling tired, My doc is going to put me on Synthroid as my Thyriod numbers are not optimal. I'll update in a few months