Iron overload diagnosis

Hi folks,

I'm concerned about iron overload as it's implicated in all sorts of degenerative diseases.
Being a beta thal my HB is usually too low to donate blood unfortunately.

What are the essential tests I should ask my doc for and should I rely on the standard ranges they provide? I did find some useful info searching previous messages already.

Serum Ferritin <150
TIBC 250-450
Iron saturation <45%
UIBC 150-375

The ranges above are from the below links, perhaps they are not applicable to thals though.

Some good info on haemachromatosis is here:
http://ironoverload.org/information/diagnosis-pt1.html

And good 30min video on iron overload here:
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kresser%20iron%20behaving&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDgQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dqrdy5IcCLis&ei=851iUtuPH8ev0QXKyIGgDw&usg=AFQjCNEbHWiqc7KctK9U2WffxjmDmSqbFQ&sig2=sc71Dfi6vd6GH1P_Xejxug&bvm=bv.54934254,d.d2k



Thanks again,
Tony.

Tony,

Your iron levels are all within normal range, although your TIBC is on the low end. That makes it even less likely that you would have any iron build up. Iron overload is very uncommon among thal minors, and at your Hb level of over 12, would not be expected at all.

An Hb of 12 is a fortune for thal minors! So cheer up.

My mom is minor too (obviously, hehe) and she has around 9.0. However my dad and my brother, both's resolve around 11.5 - 12.

Best,

-P.

Sorry the numbers I posted were not mine, but good/ideal ranges from the information I've read.
My doc only ordered me a Ferritin test(224ng/ml), I think I should ask him for the other tests too. Is that a good idea?
 High Ferritin could also be caused by inflammation so I will ask for an hsCRP too, though he may not agree!

Tony, you gave results in a previous post. Excess iron absorption happens when Hb is quite low. Yours isn't, so there is no reason to expect iron overload.

OK thanks Andy.

An Hb of 12 is a fortune for thal minors! So cheer up.

My mom is minor too (obviously, hehe) and she has around 9.0. However my dad and my brother, both's resolve around 11.5 - 12.

Best,

-P.

Same here , P
My mummy's hb remian 8.5-9 gm , sometimes even lower. It remains in higher range in case of pappa and bro.

I am forcing mummy to start wheatgrass , lets c when she will agree