Some Aussies are pumping more iron than they need
Some Aussies are pumping more iron than they need |
| Monday, 06 August 2012 15:51 |
| Haemochromatosis is a scary long word. It means inherited iron overload disorder.
About 1 in every 200 Australians have the genes and may experience chronic fatigue and aching joints. If they load up more iron they may develop liver problems, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems and loss of sexual functions. Although haemochromatosis is very common and can be found by simple blood tests, it is often overlooked. Fortunately it is easily treated if diagnosed early. David Blackmore is famous for pioneering the production of Wagu beef in Australia, serving premium markets all over the world. But for years David didn’t know that he was building up too much iron in his body until he was in real trouble. Now he has a regime of giving blood regularly to unload iron. Giving blood to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has probably saved David’s life. It has also saved other people’s lives. August 13th to 19th is Haemochromatosis Awareness Week. People who have been feeling unusually tired and flat with aching joints over a long time are encouraged to discuss their symptoms with their GP and to ask about haemochromatosis. People who know that there is haemochromatosis in their family should also ask to be tested. “Haemochromatosis is difficult to say but easy to find and simple to treat†says Ben Marris, President of Haemochromatosis Australia, the non-profit advocacy and support group. “If you think you may have this condition you should be tested now and iron out your future health problems.†For more information visit www.haemochromatosis.org.au or call the Haemochromatosis Information Line 1300 019 028 ### HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AWARENESS WEEK 13th 19th AUGUST PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENTS Sydney Information Session and AGM Port Macquarie Information Session Brisbane Haemochromatosis Seminar Hobart Art Exhibition Adelaide Information Session Perth Information Session Sunshine Coast, Queensland Information Session Melbourne Information Session Gold Coast Information Session ABOUT HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AUSTRALIA Haemochromatosis Australia is the support, health promotion and advocacy group for people with haemochromatosis and their families. The group has operated continuously for 22 years. • It is a not for profit group run entirely by volunteers. The groups medical advisors include some of the leading academics and clinicians in the field of haemochromatosis, including – Prof Emeritus Lawrie Powell, Prof John Olynyk, Prof Martin Delatycki, Prof Darrell Crawford, Prof Katie Allen For more information www.haemochromatosis.org,au ABOUT HAEMOCHROMATOSIS Haemochromatosis, or inherited iron overload disorder, is the most common genetic disorder in Australia. It causes the body to absorb excess iron which builds up in the organs and joints over many years and eventually becomes toxic. Early symptoms include joint pains, fatigue, weakness and sexual dysfunction. If untreated it can lead to serious and potentially fatal symptoms including diabetes, liver cancer and cirrhosis, heart failure and osteoarthritis. Despite being so common (one in 200 have the genetic pre-disposition) it is not well known and is frequently overlooked. Often only the individual symptoms are treated and the underlying cause is not recognised. Tests for the condition are simple and cheap. If iron studies show raised ferritin on two occasions, or if a first degree relative is diagnosed, then then a genetic test is covered by Medicare. If people are diagnosed early and treated then haemochromatosis is no barrier to a normal healthy life. Treatment is simple, drug free and uncontroversial. Regular venesection, like giving blood at a blood bank, unloads iron. Often this can be done at the Red Cross Blood Service and the blood is useful. Perhaps, if the condition needed pharmaceutical treatment, it would be better known Haemochromatosis Week The inaugural Australian Haemochromatosis Week will be held from 13th to 19th August 2012. The purpose of the week is to raise community awareness of the condition and thus improve the rate of early diagnosis. For expertise on haemochromatosis Professor Lawrie Powell AC Professor Emeritus, University of Queensland (07) 3646 2352 Professor Darrell Crawford. Dr Katie Goot GP Liaison Officer, Haemochromatosis Australia (07) 4995 8612 Professor Martin Delatycki Director, Bruce Lefroy Centre – Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Director, Clinical Genetics – Austin Health (03) 9496 4355 Professor Katie Allen Group Leader, Gut and Liver Research Group, 0401 002640 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne Professor John Olynyk Director of Gastroenterology, Fremantle Hospital (07) 3646 2352 Laureate Professor John Aitken Newcastle University available for interview by appointment with[email protected] (02) 49 212 082 For personal stories of haemochromatosis Andrew Chapman, Photographer (03) 9752 1492 0418 557 590 David Blackmore, Wagu beef 0408 507 308 Dr. Daniel Johnstone, Sydney University 0422 074 503 |
| Monday, 06 August 2012 15:51 |
| Haemochromatosis is a scary long word. It means inherited iron overload disorder.
About 1 in every 200 Australians have the genes and may experience chronic fatigue and aching joints. If they load up more iron they may develop liver problems, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems and loss of sexual functions. Although haemochromatosis is very common and can be found by simple blood tests, it is often overlooked. Fortunately it is easily treated if diagnosed early. David Blackmore is famous for pioneering the production of Wagu beef in Australia, serving premium markets all over the world. But for years David didn’t know that he was building up too much iron in his body until he was in real trouble. Now he has a regime of giving blood regularly to unload iron. Giving blood to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has probably saved David’s life. It has also saved other people’s lives. August 13th to 19th is Haemochromatosis Awareness Week. People who have been feeling unusually tired and flat with aching joints over a long time are encouraged to discuss their symptoms with their GP and to ask about haemochromatosis. People who know that there is haemochromatosis in their family should also ask to be tested. “Haemochromatosis is difficult to say but easy to find and simple to treat†says Ben Marris, President of Haemochromatosis Australia, the non-profit advocacy and support group. “If you think you may have this condition you should be tested now and iron out your future health problems.†For more information visit www.haemochromatosis.org.au or call the Haemochromatosis Information Line 1300 019 028 ### HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AWARENESS WEEK 13th 19th AUGUST PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENTS Sydney Information Session and AGM Port Macquarie Information Session Brisbane Haemochromatosis Seminar Hobart Art Exhibition Adelaide Information Session Perth Information Session Sunshine Coast, Queensland Information Session Melbourne Information Session Gold Coast Information Session ABOUT HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AUSTRALIA Haemochromatosis Australia is the support, health promotion and advocacy group for people with haemochromatosis and their families. The group has operated continuously for 22 years. • It is a not for profit group run entirely by volunteers. The groups medical advisors include some of the leading academics and clinicians in the field of haemochromatosis, including – Prof Emeritus Lawrie Powell, Prof John Olynyk, Prof Martin Delatycki, Prof Darrell Crawford, Prof Katie Allen For more information www.haemochromatosis.org,au ABOUT HAEMOCHROMATOSIS Haemochromatosis, or inherited iron overload disorder, is the most common genetic disorder in Australia. It causes the body to absorb excess iron which builds up in the organs and joints over many years and eventually becomes toxic. Early symptoms include joint pains, fatigue, weakness and sexual dysfunction. If untreated it can lead to serious and potentially fatal symptoms including diabetes, liver cancer and cirrhosis, heart failure and osteoarthritis. Despite being so common (one in 200 have the genetic pre-disposition) it is not well known and is frequently overlooked. Often only the individual symptoms are treated and the underlying cause is not recognised. Tests for the condition are simple and cheap. If iron studies show raised ferritin on two occasions, or if a first degree relative is diagnosed, then then a genetic test is covered by Medicare. If people are diagnosed early and treated then haemochromatosis is no barrier to a normal healthy life. Treatment is simple, drug free and uncontroversial. Regular venesection, like giving blood at a blood bank, unloads iron. Often this can be done at the Red Cross Blood Service and the blood is useful. Perhaps, if the condition needed pharmaceutical treatment, it would be better known Haemochromatosis Week The inaugural Australian Haemochromatosis Week will be held from 13th to 19th August 2012. The purpose of the week is to raise community awareness of the condition and thus improve the rate of early diagnosis. For expertise on haemochromatosis Professor Lawrie Powell AC Professor Emeritus, University of Queensland (07) 3646 2352 Professor Darrell Crawford. Dr Katie Goot GP Liaison Officer, Haemochromatosis Australia (07) 4995 8612 Professor Martin Delatycki Director, Bruce Lefroy Centre – Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Director, Clinical Genetics – Austin Health (03) 9496 4355 Professor Katie Allen Group Leader, Gut and Liver Research Group, 0401 002640 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne Professor John Olynyk Director of Gastroenterology, Fremantle Hospital (07) 3646 2352 Laureate Professor John Aitken Newcastle University available for interview by appointment with[email protected] (02) 49 212 082 For personal stories of haemochromatosis Andrew Chapman, Photographer (03) 9752 1492 0418 557 590 David Blackmore, Wagu beef 0408 507 308 Dr. Daniel Johnstone, Sydney University 0422 074 503 |