Hemochromatosis

[Unregistered]

Asymtomatic turned up on a full blown over 50 physical and no prior issue with any other thing. Just happened to check ferritin levels. High iron around 700. Did the Physical as a promise to the wife with no stone untouched so to speak, took place over several days between blood work, cadio, and colonoscopy...the works retesting, more blood work, ultrasounds eliminated the other liver factors.

Docs say its genetic and treatible with blood letting...

Thought on how this affects flight status?

 

[comanchepilot]

you need to find a woman somewhere with iron poor blood and the same blood type that does not respond to iron pills - and simply swap a pint or two every couple months - she feels much better - you get some of the iron out of your system without losing volume . . .

 

[bbchien]

If stable, and liver function is unaffected, that can be certified on a speical issuance. It's sad that we don't have much more than did Theodoric of York.

 

[Warlock]

Doctor Bruce, as somone has admired your straight forward answers I am still laughing...same as my specialist who says the same thing...your O negative and the local blood bank is soon to be happy that you have the genetic issue...being from Irish stock seems to be an issue.

No need to be anon

 

[bbchien]

Doctor Bruce, as somone has admired your straight forward answers I am still laughing...same as my specialist who says the same thing...your O negative and the local blood bank is soon to be happy that you have the genetic issue...being from Irish stock seems to be an issue.

No need to be anon

Steve Martin is a cultural icon for our generation, it seems.....

 

[LeeDeep]

I was diagnosed with hemochromatosis before I started taking lessons. I listed it on my medical app. The DME said since my liver enzymes and all other levels are 'normal' other than ferritin (I get tested every 6 months), he unofficially said I perhaps would have "forgotten" about it. FAA required me to send recent lab work along with my treating physicians doctors note detailing my recent visit. The result, my medical has a limitation as such:

Not Valid for any class after 10/31/2014.

Basically, I have to have blood work and an exam performed every year to have this limitation extended. Inconvenient, but since I have that done anyway, it's not that big a deal. But it's also a little frightening to think that if my blood work ever changes, my flying days are over. Anyone else happen to have that situation play out?

 

[poadeleted20]

But it's also a little frightening to think that if my blood work ever changes, my flying days are over. Anyone else happen to have that situation play out?

Only a few tens of thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of pilots. That's the way it is -- if your health fails, you have to stop flying. So take care of yourself the best you can -- eat right, exercise, stay away from abusive chemicals, manage your weight, etc, etc. The rest is in the hands of a higher power over which we have no control.

 

[AggieMike88]

Health first, fly later.

 

[LeeDeep]

Only a few tens of thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of pilots. That's the way it is -- if your health fails, you have to stop flying. So take care of yourself the best you can -- eat right, exercise, stay away from abusive chemicals, manage your weight, etc, etc. The rest is in the hands of a higher power over which we have no control.

Very true, sir. I liken it to wondering if you have a ticking time bomb, vs. knowing you have one and wondering when/if it's going to go off. I'd still rather be wondering if it were there in the first place. Admittedly my bomb isn't as bad as it could be. Though, I am grateful it has not yet gone off, and until it does, if it does, I'm having a blast flying.

 

[write-stuff]

If stable, and liver function is unaffected, that can be certified on a speical issuance. It's sad that we don't have much more than did Theodoric of York.

Hehe.. Theodoric of York. One of my favorites!