Woman had 14 pints of blood removed due to genetic condition

Julie had no symptoms before her health test.

A woman with no symptoms had a health test that found a genetic condition. She had 14 pints of blood removed from her body over a year to prevent liver damage. Julie James, 71, had the test because her parents died of heart conditions.

Julie's heart test was fine, but her blood test showed too much iron. Her iron level was 34.1, which is higher than the normal range of 10 to 25. She had more blood tests and was shocked to find her iron level had increased.

Julie's ferritin level was above the normal range, so she had a genetic test. It took 14 weeks to confirm she had haemochromatosis, a condition where iron builds up in the body.

Julie was 69 when she found out she had a genetic condition.

Julie had 18 venesections to remove blood and reduce her iron level. She also changed her lifestyle by not eating red meat and alcohol. Her iron level is now safe, but she still needs regular blood tests.

Julie said she was healthy before the test. But her iron level increased from April to July. She said it's better to know about health issues early so they can be treated.

Julie exercised regularly because her parents died of heart conditions. She saw an ad for a health screening company and decided to try it.

Julie had no symptoms, but she thought it was a good idea to get checked.

Julie said it's better to know about health issues early so they can be managed and treated.

Julie had a health test in March and found out she had elevated iron in April. She wasn't too concerned, but her husband, a retired GP, thought it might be haemochromatosis.

Julie's husband told her to see her regular GP for a second opinion. The GP was sceptical but agreed to investigate.

Julie's ferritin level was high, so she had a genetic test to confirm haemochromatosis. She was encouraged to see a haematologist.

It took 14 weeks to confirm Julie's diagnosis. She had an MRI to check for liver damage and found a slight shadow.

Julie advises people to be proactive and advocate for themselves.

A doctor said haemochromatosis is caused by a faulty gene and can build up slowly. Many people don't develop symptoms until middle or later life.

In women, menstruation and pregnancy can reduce iron levels and delay symptoms until after menopause.

Julie had venesections to remove iron from her blood. She was scared at first but got used to it.

Julie had 15 venesections in a year and got her ferritin level down to 50. She had three more venesections and had a total of 14 pints of blood removed.

Julie had 15 venesections in a year.

Julie was advised to cut down on alcohol and red meat. She decided to cut them out and lost weight as a result.

Julie's iron level is now healthy, but she'll have her blood monitored every six months. She's involved with a charity that helps people with haemochromatosis.

Julie had another health screening and found her iron level was safe. She encouraged her husband to get screened, and he found out he was low in iron.

Julie's husband is now taking iron supplements. Julie said people should be proactive and advocate for themselves.

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