Posts by Maria Thomas30

Bryan Barnes2 said:What does her CBC look like, and what are her liver enzyme levels? Is she experiencing any specific symptoms? (There are several other data points that might be relevant here.)

Since hereditary hemochromatosis is something one is born with—it isn't an overnight development—I don't quite see the urgency in rushing things before a two-month follow-up. If the numbers remain unchanged then, you can certainly press the physician for more intensive diagnostics.

Even if the diagnosis holds true—which is statistically unlikely, though entirely possible—she is 76 years old!

However, if you choose to insist—which is your prerogative—there are private laboratories that offer genetic testing for the HFE mutation (for instance, this link—the test costs approximately $227).

Thanks for the reply—we went ahead with private testing and the results just came back.
C282Y: wild type, H63D: HETEROZYGOTE

Method: PCR-RFLP, RsaI digestion (C282Y), BclI digestion (H63D), lab-on-a-
chip electrophoresis

Can someone please explain what these results mean?
What’s the next step? More blood draws? Which specialist should we be seeing now?

Based on my mom's blood work from today (she's 76), I’m seriously suspecting hemochromatosis because of these numbers:

Ferritin 260.7
Iron 31.1
TIBC 43
UIBC 12.6
Bilirubin 26

Her doctor didn't even suggest any follow-up tests or imaging; he just told us to come back for another blood draw in two months. Honestly, that's completely unacceptable to me.
Should I be pushing for genetic testing, an abdominal ultrasound, or just getting a second opinion entirely? Also, can you get DNA testing done privately through a lab?
If it turns out she actually has hemochromatosis, shouldn't we start phlebotomy immediately instead of just sitting around waiting two months?

My dad just got hit with a sudden lung tumor diagnosis:
Adenocarcinoma I. Dex (IV, T4N2M1, ECOG2), bone metastasis (th6, ribs).
On top of that, his heart is weak (cardiomyopathy), he’s got high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—he’s already on about 20 different meds a day (including Warfarin).
He’s crashed hard in just a few days and is in massive pain, so he was prescribed Oxycontin 10mg twice a day, plus Analgin and Brufen as needed.
The doctor sat us down and told us this is a brutal situation. She said chemotherapy is the only option, but even that's questionable because of how weak his heart is.
Dad's being discharged from the hospital now; he's 75.
Please, tell me: should I be looking for a second opinion? What else should I be asking the doctor? I did a quick Google search on radiofrequency ablation, some natural supplements (that won't mess with the Warfarin)... basically, anything you think I need to know.
It’s absolutely gut-wrenching watching your own father go through this.

Since I don't have computer access at my parents' place, I'm slowly working my way through the previous pages here. Please, write back with whatever you've got—this is urgent.