Customer Reviews

Iron Disorders Institute Guide to Hemochromatosis: A Genetic Disorder of Iron Metabolism

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This book has been an invaluable resource in understanding this much overlooked iron overload disease. My husband's uncle died from liver cancer and his mother from cirrhosis (not drinkers). Had his brother not discovered that he had high iron, there might have been three more deaths as all three brothers have now been diagnosed... This book explains exactly what Hemochromatosis is, why it is commonly overlooked, the treatment options and more. A must read for anyone, especially women after menopause and men of any age, who have chronic fatigue, joint pain, sore abdomen in the liver area, skin colour changes and chest pain- and a family history of liver problems. Iron levels are no longer part of the medical work up for men- find out why it should be. This book could save a life.

The Iron Disorders Institute "Guide to Hemochromatosis" is a cogent book. The cover gets ones attention immediately, as it lists the symptoms on the cover. When my daddy died on July 4, 2000, I had never heard of Hemochromatosis, I am 57. He was diagnosed, too late, on July 1, 2000. After a zillion hours of searching the Internet about Hemochromatosis, I came away very angry about this "most common genetic disorder, because it is basically unknown by the layman and underdiagnosed by the medical profession, 1/250 have it and don't know it, and 1/10 carry the gene," per the CDC. (Many professionals still call it a "rare old man's disease.") Excuse me, but women have Hemochromatosis also. All that was needed was for my daddy to have had an early diagnosis, and give blood to reduce his iron level. This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date information that the layman can read about Hemochromatosis. And the layman had better read it, because their doctors don't know about its prevelence, and many don't know to test for it. Instead the doctors continue to "well-meaningly" treat the patient's symptoms. Simple blood tests that are described in the book, can diagnose Hemochromatosis. The individual must arm themselves with this book's information and help educate their doctor. In fact, I have bought "Guide to Hemochromatosis" for a few doctors.

All Physicians, Nurse Practicioners, Nurses, and Medical students,should update their knowledge by becoming more sensitive and aware of this common health problem! This disorder of chronic disease is one that you are going to see more and more cases every day. This book gives you scientific information with interesting case studies.

Since diagnosed with Hemochromatosis in 1995, the hardest problem to overcome has been the determination of the correct treatment parameters on an ongoing basis simply because the disorder slowly invades so many vital organs -- the liver, the heart and the pancreas, to name a few. Even doctors tend to treat the problems CAUSED by the hemochromatosis and tend to ignore the underlying cause -- the killer IRON that gets into those organs. If the hemochromatosis is not discovered in time, early death is the most common result. Because hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder, families of patients MUST become familiar with the disorder BEFORE the iron does its damage. Consequently, I recommend this Guide to Hemochromatosis as must reading for patients and their families.

I found this book very informative and does a good job at making technical medical terms understandable to the lay person. If you have concerns about hemochromatosis, this book will cover the majority of what you need to know in one volume.

Wonderful book ...full of all kinds of information about Hemochromatosis. Certainly answers many questions I had and helped me to realize how much more information there is about this disease since 1981-2 when my Mother was diagnosed. I wish it had more information on the different mutations - heterozygote, homozygote, and compound heterozygote ....and how they differ in symptoms. Also wish there were information on how to make the blood donation an easier process as I have very difficult veins and the nurses have a problem getting and keeping the needle in to get the blood bag filled. I think anyone who has been diagnosed with this disease or has family members with this disease...you really need this book...it is a must have...

This is a wonderful book. Well written and easy to comprehend. It really provides insight to this disorder, and provides some guidelines on how to monitor the disorder.

Finally, there is definitive information out there, instead of just people passing word of mouth warnings. This books is worth gold for people of Celtic ancestry. I was diagnosed with HHC, laughingly called the Celtic Curse because it can strike people of Scottish and Irish ancestry, there was not a lot of information out there about it. One in four people can carry the gene that causes the body to store too much iron in the deep muscle tissue, kidneys, liver and heart. It can be fatal if not caught. This book helps those find a way to live with this problem.

When I learnt I suffered from this, I had not heard of it, no one I knew had it. However, within in the last five years, many people I know are aware of a friend or family member that now has it. It often mimics many other health problems, so it's good to get early treatment and have books such as this one that help you manage your lifestyle.

This book addresses all the issues and give people a sound understanding of the problem, how to face it and how to live with it.

At long last, a single source of invaluable information about diagnosis and treatment of Hemochromatosis along with many personal trials and tribulations of those who have experienced the frustrations of obtaining an appropriate diagnosis. "The Iron Disorders Institute's Guide to Hemochromatosis" is a tremendously welcome resource. I was so impressed I purchased 7 additional copies for my 5 adult children and 2 of the RNs who conduct my frequent phlebotomies.

I'm also relieved that newly diagnosed "Rusties" do not have to go through the agony of research as I did back in 1979 when I was diagnosed as a result of my younger sister's autopsy results. There was scant information available in the medical journals of the period. I recall one occasion spending more than 4 hours in a medical library only to locate a single 2 year old article about Hemochromatosis, which was replete with statements that have since been proved mythical. No one will have to endure that again with the advent of IDI's "Guide".

The "Web" has certainly provided considerably more accessibility to Hemochromatosis information, yet much of what is available still has to be validated. The "Guide to Hemochromatosis" overcomes this problem by providing in a single-source forthright testimony, easy-to-understand charts and time-tested data contributed by highly recognized scientists in their fields.

The "Guide" can reduce, even eliminate, the frustration often experienced when trying to convince a family member of how crucial it is for having the appropriate blood tests conducted to determine stored iron levels. The feedback I've received from those whom I have given this book to has been overwhelmingly positive. There is little doubt as to the value of this book in one's arsenal for educating loved ones about the insidiousness of excess iron and the damage iron can do to the human body.

I found that one can simply read individual chapters in no particular order and assimilate a plethora of knowledge without being bogged down in technical jargon. This book relates well on a very personal level. I can not emphasize enough the value of this book. It commands a highly visible location in my reading library, replacing the "Reader's Digest".

I also highly recommend this book as being very germane to every individual, worldwide, who has Irish, Scottish, or English ancestry.

An incredible find that will save many lives. It explores the world of iron overloading and hemochromatosis in an easy to read style. HH sufferers no longer have to rely on the medical profession's sometimes outdated ideas of diagnosis and treatment of HH or the sometimes questionable web info in order to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. It will answer the questions you may have and others you haven't thought of yet. If someone has suggested that HH may be a possable diagnosis of an ailment/s that you have, you owe yourself this book. It will make a great resource for your doctor also.