Suggest Treatment For Haemochromatosis And Low Acting Thyroid

Posted on Sat, 13 Sep 2014

Question: My husband has been told he has haemochromatosis and a low acting thyroid and we wondered if we could look towards a naturopathic remedy before approaching medical specialists. He has recently had atrial fabrillation and had cardio version which seems to have worked and takes a blood pressure tablet.
What would you suggest? Thank you
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Dear ms.XXXX,
Good day.
Noted your concern.
Haemochromatosis is a disease where there can be iron deposits in multiple parts of body. Hypothyroidism in haemocheomatosis is due to iron deposition in thyroid gland or pituitary gland. Could you provide the actual readings or attach the reports??
If haemochromatosis has caused iron deposition in either thyroid or Pituitary and if it is early phase, venesection ( removal of blood) treatment may reverse this condition. I really doubt if there is any natural treatment for this
Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (22 minutes later)

Results are: Iron Master test:
Ferritin on 7.2.13 - 516; 8.13.13 - 450; 6.25.14 - 510
Iron 7.2.13 - 23.1; 8.13.13 - 19.4; 6.25.14 - 16.7
Thyroid Stimulating Horm. test: 3.9.12 - 3.99; 2.21.13 - 2.43; 6.25.14 - 5.70 mIU/L
Genetic Haemochromatosis test - H63D Mutation: Homozygous for the mutation
(Not C282Y Mutation)
I have submitted results above which you may be able to comment on as suggested in your answer Dr XXXXXXX Thank you
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you
noted the results.
TSH is 5.70 mIU/L which is elevated, but not too high. I do not think he needs any medicine ow unless the Free t4 is low. However, he need serial TSH monitoring every 2 months or so. If the Free t4 is or TSH go above 10, he will require smll dose of thyroxine

Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (10 hours later)

Thank you.
One result I didn't give you was for Platelets. If you feel this requires comments I would appreciate it. Thank you tho for your comments thus far.

2/21/13 - 146
7/2/13 - 186
6/25/13 - 148

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
His platelets ( on occasions) were just below normal. This has no direct relation to thyroid. Did he ever have an ultrasound of abdomen done?

In haemochromatosis, there can be iron deposits in liver and in the long term this can cause pressure build up in the liver blood vessles ( portal hypertension). Once there is portal hypertension, spleen can increase in size. This is a reason for drop in platelets. If his ultrasound scan was normal, then please relax.

Please remember that many features of haemochromatosis are reversible with early treatment.

Regards
Binu

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar