Still anaemic

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Nearly a year ago, it was discovered I have mutant genes (see Genotype Compound Heterozygote) and therefore haemochromatosis, which is a condition whereby over time you accumulate too much iron in your system.

Despite initial optimism at the idea I might finally have found a reason for my CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), it turned out to be coincidental rather than causal.

There is no cure for haemochromatosis, only management by periodic blood letting. Several centuries of medical advances and it's still one of the few condidions where leeches would probably help. These days, however, they just stick a needle the size of a scaffolding pipe in your arm and drain off a pint at a time.

Due to assumptions and lack of appropriate communication, back in March, after 6 months of fortnightly visits to a vampire, it was discovered I'd had too much blood taken and was now anaemic (see Iron Levels).

As my body naturally absorbs iron at a faster rate than the rest of you mere mortals, it was considered giving me iron supplements would be counter-productive, but I should return in 4 months to have my levels checked again.

4 months have now passed. I was in last Monday to have blood taken to test, and this morning I received a letter telling me I'm still anaemic and to have return for another test in 3 or 4 months from now.

Although I now have no idea how much of my tiredness is due to being anaemic and how much is still the underlying CFS, which will still be there even when my iron levels are normal again, I must admit a certain relief and not needing any more drainpipe sized needles thrust into my veins for a wee while longer.




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