Elevated iron levels-advice please

[Believeinmiracles82]

Hi,

Would just like a bit of advice. After years of infertility and miscarriages, we were referred for fertility testing. We have been refused for IVF on NHS due to diminished ovarian reserve which is pretty low for my age. I am 42 years old.

I have always been aware that my haemaglobin has been on the high end for around 10 years and GP wasn’t concerned as it did not exceed the limit. I did haemorrhage after my last miscarriage and my haemaglobin at the time was around 110 which was 3 years ago.

However, my fertility doctor has said that my haemaglobin is reading 167 and it is now high. As far as I am aware all other blood tests were normal. I have read there could be a link between infertility and haemacromatosis. Do you think my haemaglobin is concerning or needs further investigation? I cannot get a GP appointment until mid-March

Thanks for reading x

[SonsyLass]

I'm so sorry to hear you have suffered such heartbreak.You should ask your G P to take a blood sample for genetic testing for Haemochromatosis.I too suffered miscarriages and then two pregnancies with severe pre-eclampsia . I was kept in hospital from 12weeks gestation, with my two tiny babies delivered prematurely ( now both big healthy adults!)

At the time, the nurses always remarked on how high my haemoglobin was, compared to most of the other antenatal patients, who mainly had low haemoglobin and were getting iron supplements.

That was in the 80's and they did not know about haemochromatosis then.

When I was finally diagnosed in 2009, I wondered if this was a cause of my problems. I tried to find some information of any link between obstetric problems and haemochromatosis, but drew a blank.

I would be interested to know if any research is being done into this.

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to SonsyLass]

Thank you for the advice. I am sorry you had an awful time but had a lovely outcome with your two babies. I had read online that they have done a few small studies which have showed a possible link of infertility, miscarriages and haemochromatosis.

My father passed away in his 40’s to heart disease so I wonder if he had something else going on too.

It’s frustrating that the GP doesn’t seem to be too concerned as they say it’s always been high so it’s okay. I will ask them to check for haemacromatosis even if it’s to put my mind at rest.

Thank so much for your response x