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New warning about ‘Celtic Curse’ blood iron disease

Countless Irish Americans unknowing sufferers says expert

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, April 15, 2011, 1:21 PM

Updated Friday, April 15, 2011, 1:21 PM

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Hemochromatosis is now the most common genetic disorder in the United States and is described as 'The Celtic Curse'

It is known as the Irish disease and Sandra Thomas who runs the American Hemochromatosis Society in Florida is urgently seeking to alert Irish Americans to its dangers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control the disease, hemochromatosis, is now the most common genetic disorder in the United States with an estimated 32 million silent carriers.

Thomas has been using St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and Irish gatherings everywhere as a platform for discussing what she describes as “The Celtic Curse”.

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease, linked particularly to Irish and those of Irish origin. It causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you consume. The excess iron becomes stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas.

It can lead to life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart problems and liver disease.

Those with Irish heritage have a significantly greater chance of carrying the gene mutation that can contribute to the deadly disorder.

Some experts believe that hemochromatosis originated more than 40,000 years ago in Ireland when genes mutated allowing the population to over-absorb iron, to compensate for a poor iron diet.

If left untreated the disease can lead to early menopause, infertility, diabetes, heart failure and even death.

Thomas‘s mother died of liver cancer caused by iron overload. A carrier of the disease herself, she is committed to spreading awareness of the disease.

Thomas says her mother’s dying wish "was that everyone would get tested for hereditary hemochromatosis/iron overload, so they wouldn’t have to go through what she was going through."

Thomas, who is the founder and president of the American Hemochromatosis Society, encourages everyone who has Irish linage to get tested for the hereditary disorder.

The website is www.americanhs.org.

Nster.com

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kevin1390 | May 08, 2011, 06:11 PM EDT

I was feeling sickly for about 3 years, I am 48 years old now, I was constantly complaining to several doctors about joint pain, headaches, skin discoloration, abdominal pain and fatigue. I already inherited an enlarged (athlete's heart) from my Irish born father. I was being treated for the symptoms individually, without relief. My mother is also Irish born. Because of being a fireman at Ground Zero (9/11), I was asked to participate in a federally funded medical research program. They diagnosed my liver as being enlarged (first I ever heard this) and high enzyme count. I do not drink alcohol at all. So they tested for all metals in bloodstream. That is when they found extremely high iron levels. I was then diagnosed with hemochromatosis. My father died of heart failure at 67 with all of the same symptoms as me, but was never diagnosed with hemochromatosis. I believe he had it and I inherited it. I have been treated by a hemotologist for the last year and a half by removing about a pint of blood per week for a year and now once per month. I felt relief pretty much instantly. I told my family to get tested for it and I tell everyone I know about it. I know that left untreated I would have died within 10 years. I was told this by the hemotologist. If you have it get treated, it is such a huge relief. I have 3 sons and I will have them tested this year (they are still very young).

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Spiddal | Mar 26, 2011, 07:50 PM EDT

I have chronic lymphatic lyleukemia (CLL)....any connection?

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downunder | Mar 25, 2011, 07:18 PM EDT

good to know,ive booked in for checkup

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dka1973 | Mar 24, 2011, 12:06 AM EDT

I have been diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. I have not started the blood draws yet, only because I also found that my blood does not clot properly. I go back to the Dr next Wednesday to start treatment and for further information regarding all this. My feritin level was way out of range, and still getting higher so a genetic test was done. I am not a carrier, I have it full blown. It is frustrating but I have come to terms with it. I am 57 and a woman. I have asked my sone to get their feritin checked. My mother always told me I had a lot of Irish in me, so this is an interesting article to me. I do not believe that you have to be of Irish descent to have this genetic disorder. Perhaps being of Irish descent increases the chance of you having it.

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snakehips | Mar 23, 2011, 04:52 PM EDT

In my annual checkup, it was learned that my blood iron count was somewhat elevated. I had an additional genetic testing and learned that I test positive for the gene for hemochromatosis, but do not yet have the condition. The treatment for the condition is giving blood on a frequent basis and maintaining a low iron diet.Although there is not a present cure, the disease is not immediately dangerous as far as death and the myriad of diseases that it may cause. It is not specific to only people of Irish blood but to many Northern European ethnic groups, including the Irish(so much for the drama Molly). So, upon the occasion of your annual physical,(hope you all get one after age 40)have your doctor check your iron levels, especially if they hover near the 1000 mark.

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Bernardine | Mar 23, 2011, 04:45 PM EDT

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, and have taken good care of myself since then, I am now down to going and haveing blood taken every 5 months, I only eat red meat twice a month, hardley have a drink, and watch the amount of green veg's that I eat, the vitamins that I take have no iron in them. Thank God I cought it early so that I can live a healthy life, I am now 68 years old, all I have to do is give blood and I am good to go.

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pepper16 | Mar 23, 2011, 04:01 PM EDT

derrylass627 is as much to blame as her husband as you need a gene from both parents to have this genetic disorder.

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pmohinoaklawnillinois | Mar 23, 2011, 01:28 PM EDT

My first cousin was diagnosed with this disease last year,so we know it's in our genetic code as well. I was tested for it three years ago, but the results were negative for me. I'm slightly anemic but my doctor's tell me it's no big deal.

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Liamkeyes | Mar 23, 2011, 11:42 AM EDT

They tell me that there is a certain amount of iron in Guinness, I'll have to call the Brewery for their slant on this.

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nmccreary | Mar 23, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT

My grandfather had hemochromatosis - my family doctor told me that having anemia doesn't mean you don't have hemochromatosis. As a woman though, usually the problems don't start until you are in menopause.

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Derrylass627 | Mar 23, 2011, 11:12 AM EDT

All my life I had anemia. Now my daughter has this homocromatosis. She got it from her father who has Dublin roots. I hope we learn more about this.

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brittaniethekid | Mar 23, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT

This is interesting because I have anaemia, which is like the opposite to hemochromatosis. I even take iron supplements. Hmm!

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carrickcourt | Mar 23, 2011, 09:33 AM EDT

Interesting I have low iron. Is my low iron level related to this "Celtic curse" some how?

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