The Iron Disorders Institute Guide to Hemochromatosis: A Genetic Disorder of Iron Metabolism

At long last, a single source of invaluable information about diagnosis and treatment of Hemochromatosis along with many personal trials and tribulations of those who have experienced the frustrations of obtaining an appropriate diagnosis. "The Iron Disorders Institute's Guide to Hemochromatosis" is a tremendously welcome resource. I was so impressed I purchased 7 additional copies for my 5 adult children and 2 of the RNs who conduct my frequent phlebotomies.I'm also relieved that newly diagnosed "Rusties" do not have to go through the agony of research as I did back in 1979 when I was diagnosed as a result of my younger sister's autopsy results. There was scant information available in the medical journals of the period. I recall one occasion spending more than 4 hours in a medical library only to locate a single 2 year old article about Hemochromatosis, which was replete with statements that have since been proved mythical. No one will have to endure that again with the advent of IDI's "Guide".The "Web" has certainly provided considerably more accessibility to Hemochromatosis information, yet much of what is available still has to be validated. The "Guide to Hemochromatosis" overcomes this problem by providing in a single-source forthright testimony, easy-to-understand charts and time-tested data contributed by highly recognized scientists in their fields.The "Guide" can reduce, even eliminate, the frustration often experienced when trying to convince a family member of how crucial it is for having the appropriate blood tests conducted to determine stored iron levels. The feedback I've received from those whom I have given this book to has been overwhelmingly positive. There is little doubt as to the value of this book in one's arsenal for educating loved ones about the insidiousness of excess iron and the damage iron can do to the human body. I found that one can simply read individual chapters in no particular order and assimilate a plethora of knowledge without being bogged down in technical jargon. This book relates well on a very personal level. I can not emphasize enough the value of this book. It commands a highly visible location in my reading library, replacing the "Reader's Digest".I also highly recommend this book as being very germane to every individual, worldwide, who has Irish, Scottish, or English ancestry.

The Iron Disorders Institute "Guide to Hemochromatosis" is a cogent book. The cover gets ones attention immediately, as it lists the symptoms on the cover. When my daddy died on July 4, 2000, I had never heard of Hemochromatosis, I am 57. He was diagnosed, too late, on July 1, 2000. After a zillion hours of searching the Internet about Hemochromatosis, I came away very angry about this "most common genetic disorder, because it is basically unknown by the layman and underdiagnosed by the medical profession, 1/250 have it and don't know it, and 1/10 carry the gene," per the CDC. (Many professionals still call it a "rare old man's disease.") Excuse me, but women have Hemochromatosis also. All that was needed was for my daddy to have had an early diagnosis, and give blood to reduce his iron level. This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date information that the layman can read about Hemochromatosis. And the layman had better read it, because their doctors don't know about its prevelence, and many don't know to test for it. Instead the doctors continue to "well-meaningly" treat the patient's symptoms. Simple blood tests that are described in the book, can diagnose Hemochromatosis. The individual must arm themselves with this book's information and help educate their doctor. In fact, I have bought "Guide to Hemochromatosis" for a few doctors.

Since diagnosed with Hemochromatosis in 1995, the hardest problem to overcome has been the determination of the correct treatment parameters on an ongoing basis simply because the disorder slowly invades so many vital organs -- the liver, the heart and the pancreas, to name a few. Even doctors tend to treat the problems CAUSED by the hemochromatosis and tend to ignore the underlying cause -- the killer IRON that gets into those organs. If the hemochromatosis is not discovered in time, early death is the most common result. Because hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder, families of patients MUST become familiar with the disorder BEFORE the iron does its damage. Consequently, I recommend this Guide to Hemochromatosis as must reading for patients and their families.

I have Hemochromatosis. In my opinion there is no other book like this on the market that deals with this issue so personally. Whomever wrote this book sat down and took time out to put this book in Lamens Terms. Bless you. This is a definite buy for anyone that feels they may have an iron disorder. Daniel Garner Atlanta, GA