Updated update

...and my ferritin level for June 2015 is...

*Drum roll*

59ng/mL. Here is a graph chart to give you an indication of how bloodlettings, diet changes, exercise, and general moderation has affected my levels (charting from February of this year to June):

Not bad, huh?

And this is where I get on my soapbox. Hemochromotosis is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and least publicized genetic disorder. It affects 1 to 6 out of every 100 people. It is known to be a genetic issue, but can also be acquired through lifestyle choices. Instead of listing a FAQ section here I am including the following link for everyone to review: http://www.americanhs.org/faq.htm. One thing I am a huge advocate of is genetic testing. Everyone should have this done, but many doctors hesitate or dismiss it as being unnecessary. Thankfully, my GP took the extra step to do research into the variety of symptoms I detailed for her (i.e., extreme fatigue, joint pain, etc.). The step-by-step process led to genetic testing, which confirmed everything. Of all genetic conditions, hemochromotosis is the most manageable...if it is diagnosed  early enough. Review your health, compare symptoms with the list provided in the link I have included, talk to your doctor. It is simply stupid not to given how manageable this condition is.

How Low Can you Go?

Its been a little while since I last posted; time just seems to get away from me that much easier anymore. The news about my condition is...there is no news. Which is actually GREAT news! Why,you might ask? Because the bloodlettings I had been doing, first on a weekly basis, then bi-weekly, then monthly, have done their job. Almost too well, actually.

My ferritin levels in April hit a record low of 27ng/mL. To give you some perspective about how important that is: I started treatment after diagnosis with ferritin levels at 1295ng/mL; normal range is 22ng/mL to 365ng/mL. As a result, my doctor cancelled my next scheduled bloodletting as she did not want my levels to get TOO low. Pretty cool...no pokey pokey for April.

Before I could do another bloodletting, I was asked to do labs again in May. This time, my ferritin levels came back at 34ng/mL. Climbing, but still quite low...too low to allow another bloodletting. And I even had several instances of "cheating", i.e., eating some red meat here and there at various occasions. So...I was off the hook for May as well.

Today, I did more labs to see if I am at a level that calls for a draining. Might not find out until later this evening, but I am pretty confident that the number that comes back will still be low.

I have seen countless posts from others with my condition, others who scoff at diet changes, scoff at exercise/lifestyle changes, relying primarily on their scheduled bloodlettings. I have actually quit those groups with those people because I believe my personal turnaround can be directly attributable to embracing the need to change how I eat, how I live my life, not simply hoping treatments do the trick. Everything in moderation and understand the party can't go on...at least not at the same reckless intensity it has before...