High iron

[Glasspainter]

Has anyone been diagnosed with high iron levels in their blood? If so, was it connected to the heart problems and what treatment did you have. Thanks.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi! After heart surgery some people suffer low iron levels and anemia - I did despite a transfusion during surgery. High iron levels are extremely unlikely to be related to heart surgery but more to another underlying condition. Your GP or consultant should be investigating this if it is abnormality high (you don't mention level). One treatment is very straightforward - they take a pint or less of blood regularly which also removes a percentage of the iron. You need to avoid food with highish iron like spinach, liver and products fortified with it (check labels). As high iron can damage the liver, or be related to this, alcohol intake should be minimal.

[Glasspainter in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks. The hospital referral is from our GP but hes not going till 28th Jan and it was supposed to be 28th dec. He was told 8 wks ago iron was high but no mention of the level. Its a long time to wait, it will be over 4 months! Especially when he's had heart failure and a cardioversion. I've read high iron is quite harmful as it builds up in your liver heart and kidneys. He doesn't eat many foods thats high in iron and only has a few drinks a wk but it is scary. I cant believe he has to wait so long to be seen.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Glasspainter]

Sadly the NHS is overloaded. The delays I had from first referral to Urgent Chest Pain Clinic to eventual bypass were nearly unbelievable!

Who postponed the appointment by a month. If it was the hospital it would suggest they are not overly concerned about the actual level. Have you talked to your GP about this? I, sadly, have encountered misinformation being passed around. There is no harm in double checking things with your GP.

[Glasspainter in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes the delay is from the appointment clerk at the hospital. No explanation. Im going to ring tomorrow and ask as I'm concerned about his health. No harm in asking, might get a cancellation. Best of it is hes at the same clinic tomorrow afternoon!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Glasspainter]

Yes, it's definitely worth a call. A friend was due an annual review and in a simple change of appointment letter it moved out to eighteen months. At the end of month sixteen he was in their A&E with a related issue and needed an emergency appointment in the clinic the next day. He still wonders if it was avoidable!

Outpatient appointments are something of a nightmare locally. If you attend a clinic the receptionist/clerk always days it will be posted out but often it will need to be chased up. Then after you think you have a date you will get a letter changing it due to "unforeseen circumstances"!

[wiltsgirl]

My brother has high iron levels, nothing to do with any heart problems. He has to give blood a number of times a year to reduce the levels and not eat anything rich in iron like spinach.