Controlling 'The Celtic Curse'

HAEMOCHROMATOSIS is
a genetic iron overload disorder
which, if not detected in
time, can lead to organ damage
and even death.
This is certainly a startlingly
statement – but it’s a statement
which many Irish people need
to familiarise themselves with.
One in 83 Irish people are
predisposed to developing
haemochromatosis.
The condition’s prevalence
amongst the Irish has resulted
in haemochromatosis being
dubbed ‘The Celtic Curse’.
Common symptoms associated
with iron overload include
chronic fatigue, joint pain, and
abdominal pain.
Milo Walsh, a retired
primary school teacher from
Summerhill, Tramore, found
out he had haemochromatosis
ten years ago.
“I was one of the lucky ones,
but I believe my story isn’t
unique,” he said.
“When my niece was in her
early 20s, a pain developed in
her arm. She went to her GP
who did a ferritin blood test.
Her ferritin levels were high
which suggested that she had
haemochromatosis. Further
tests were carried out which
confirmed that she did have
haemochromatosis.”
Milo continued: “She contacted
all members of our
family and we were all tested.
I was the unlucky one! One in
five in a family who have the
gene will develop full blown
haemochromatosis. My consultant
said it was amazing
that I hadn’t experienced any
side effects. I said I was a
blood donor all my life and he
said that it had helped save my
life.”
The treatment of haemochromatosis
involves having
blood taken on a regular basis.
Milo undergoes regular
blood tests and if his ferritin
levels are above a certain level
he undergoes a venesection.
“It’s incurable but very
treatable,” he explained.
“If diagnosed and treated
in time the person will have
a normal life expectancy.
But early diagnosis is hugely
important.”
He says diet is very
important to controlling the
condition.
“A lot of foods which have
a lot of iron have to been
avoided,” he said.
“I’m now always examining
packaging to see how much
iron everything has. Other
people look for saturated fat
whereas I’m on the lookout for
iron levels!”
Milo is a member of the
Waterford branch of the Irish
Haemochromatosis Association
which is a support group
for haemochromatosis patients
and their families.
The aim of the Irish Haemochromatosis
Association is to
raise awareness of haemochromatosis
both in the medical
and the general population as
early diagnosis and treatment
of the condition prevents organ
damage and may even save
lives.
A National Awareness Day
was held last Thursday June
4th, with many events taking
place throughout the country
including here in Waterford.
Milo and a number of
fellow Irish Haemochromatosis
Association Waterford
branch members were on hand
at Waterford Shopping Centre,
Lisduggan at an information
stand where they spoke with
people and distributed leaflets.
“We had a great day with
many people showing a keen
interest. I would say 50 per
cent of people we spoke with
had never heard of the condition,”
said Milo.
“We’re an altruistic society.
We’re not collecting money
and we’re not looking for
funds. All members pay a fee
and that covers brochures
etc.,” he explained.
Milo hopes that through
his involvement with the Irish
Haemochromatosis Association,
he can give something
back in order to help other
people.
“I feel blessed. I’m very
lucky that I was diagnosed and
I want to help other people
who do not yet know that they
have haemochromatosis,” he
said.
“I’ve been annoying people
telling them to get checked
out! But it is very important
and many people don’t realise
just how important it really is.
We’re very prone to haemochromatosis
in Ireland as we
have the highest percentage
of people in Europe who are
likely to have it.”
He continued: “Thankfully,
awareness is growing
in Ireland. However, you hear
about people dying of heart
attacks when they’re still
young. I’m convinced there
are many people who have
died because of haemochromatosis
without knowing that
they had it. I am convinced that
a member of my own family,
who died at a very young age,
had haemochromatosis and
never realised it.”
Milo is encouraging people
to make an effort to get tested
for haemochromatosis.
“It is very easy to detect, if
you’re going for a blood test
just ask to have your iron and
ferritin levels checked,” he
said.
For more information visit
www.haemochromatosis-ir.
com or email info@haemochromatosis-
ir.com.