What is Hemochromatosis?

This list is what advocating for myself and my health looked like. It was exhausting, frustrating, emotional and life changing. The past 365 days have consisted of doctor appointments, specialist appointments, blood work, tests, results, phlebotomies and diagnoses.

2023 was the year that saved my life… is that dramatic? Possibly a little bit, but being diagnosed with a genetic disorder that can be fatal when not found (or left untreated) definitely leaves me extremely thankful and makes 2023 a year I won’t forget. Being told you have a lifelong disorder is challenging enough, but being told it’s common, even though no one you have talked to has heard of it, means you are constantly explaining everything over and over.

A condition that is serious yet invisible in your body is something no one prepares you for.

I have decided to share my experience from diagnosis to treatment and everything in between. My hope in sharing is to help people feel less lonely during their medical journey (myself included). I also would like to bring more awareness to this disorder. So let’s get into it..

What is Hemochromatosis?

Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which your body can build up too much iron. Having too much iron is toxic to your body and over time the high levels of iron, if left untreated, can damage joints, tissue, organs and eventually be fatal.

I will dive into more details in the coming posts but today is step one. I haven’t spoken much about all of this outside of therapy. As today marks one year into this journey I figured there is no better day to take this first step.

Thank you for being here 💕