Photo by Lucien Capehart/Palm Beach

Left to right: Jospehine Thomas, Ann Landers (center), Sandra Thomas, AHS President

Ann Landers was the most widely syndicated columnist in the world and had an estimated readership of 90 million in over 1,200 newspapers. Many lives were saved as a result of these letters--readers wrote to say that they were diagnosed as a result of the information provided.   My mother and I had the privilege of meeting Ann Landers in Palm Beach, Florida on December 5th, 1995.

Sandra Thomas, President/Founder
American Hemochromatosis Society, Inc.

mail@americanhs.org

 

    

Photo by Lucien Capehart/Palm Beach

Ann Landers (left) and Sandra Thomas, President, AHS, on December 5th, 1995, holding a copy of the column which featured Sandra's letter about hereditary hemochromatosis published in 1991 in newspapers across the country.

Saturday, November 23, 1991

"IRON OVERLOAD DISEASE CAN BE A SNEAKY KILLER"

Dear Ann:

You have printed several columns dealing with unusual diseases. Every day I hope I will read about hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) so your readers can be warned about this potentially fatal illness.

Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder that causes iron overload and is often overlooked by doctors. More than 1.5 million Americans are affected by this disease, which can cause a variety of serious problems, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver, and heart disease. Victims are subject to agonizing pain, irreversible damage and premature death.

This genetic defect, an inborn error of metabolism causes people to absorb too much iron from the diet. Because the body has no way to eliminate iron except by bleeding, it builds up in many organs over the years. In its early stages, hemochromatosis may produce fatigue and weakness, and later, chronic abdominal pain, aching joints, impotence, menstrual irregularities and an inability to think clearly-- symptoms often attributed to other diseases. Since its effects are nonspecific, hemochromatosis is often not diagnosed properly until the heart, liver, joints, and testicles are damaged.

There is a treatment for this disease, but early diagnosis cannot be made unless there is proper screening. The four necessary tests are:serum iron, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), percent of saturation, and serum ferritin. Only these tests will give an accurate picture of a patient's iron status.

Thanks, Ann. I hope this letter will alert your readers to the preventable tragedy of this genetic disease.

Sandra Thomas, National Director of Public Education

Iron Overload Diseases Association, Inc.

(Note: Sandra Thomas was national director of public education for the Iron Overload Diseases Association (IOD) at the time of the publication of her letter).

Reprinted with permission of Ann Landers and Creators Syndicate

 

February 7, 1998

FEBRUARY 7, 1998

DEAR ANN LANDERS:

Back in 1991, you printed my letter about iron overload, hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). Since that column appeared, countless lives have been saved. Thank you.

HH is an inherited disorder that causes people to absorb too much iron from a normal diet and is often overlooked by doctors. More than 1.5 million Americans are affected by HH, which can cause a variety of problems, including chronic fatigue, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease.

The Centers for Disease Control have proclaimed hereditary hemochromatosis the most common genetic disease in the United States. Your readers should know that in August 1996, the gene for HH was discovered, and an inexpensive DNA test has been developed.

One in eight children is a single-gene carrier, and one in 200 may develop the disease due to the double gene for HH. Usually considered an adult disease, we now know that children can become ill and even die from HH. But the damage and premature death from iron overload is avoidable and preventable for both children and adults.

I have started the Children HHelping Children national screening project to identify and treat children with hereditary hemochromatosis. A simple DNA test can identify most of the children with the gene for HH and alert parents and pediatricians to monitor the child closely to see if high levels of iron are present. The four necessary tests are: serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), percent saturation and serum ferritin. By diagnosing the child early and treating him or her promptly, the child can have a normal life expectancy.

Thanks, Ann, and bless you. -- Sandra Thomas, national director of public education,Iron Overload Diseases Association

Dear Sandra:

Thanks are not necessary. That's what I'm here for. I appreciate your sending this valuable information.

(Note: Sandra Thomas was national director of public education for the Iron Overload Diseases Association (IOD) at the time of the publication of her letter). 

Reprinted with permission of Ann Landers and Creators Syndicate

 

Saturday, July 1, 2000

 

"Too much blood iron deadly but treatable"

Dear Ann Landers: Last May, my mother died from primary liver cancer due to hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), also known as Iron Overlad Disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HH is the most common genetic disease in the country. Symptoms include heart failure, arthritis, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes mellitus, liver and/or heart transplants, liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

Although HH can be a killer , it is easy to detect and treat. An early diagnosis gives the patient a normal life expectancy. Those with HH need to have blood taken regularly to prevent iron build up. The good news is the FDA recently approved hemochromatosis blood as donor blood.

Most doctors do not routinely test for HH, so those with the disease do not realize their condition until they are at death's door. Please urge your readers to ask their doctors to give them these blood tests: Serum iron, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), percent of saturation and serum ferritin. DNA testing can confirm a diagnosis or show genetic risk. For free literature, send a self-addressed stamped (74 cents) envelope to American Hemochromatosis Society, 4044 W. Lake Mary Blvd., PMB 416, Lake Mary, FL  32746-2012, USA. (www.americanhs.org.), or call us toll-free at 888-655-4766.-- Sandra Thomas, President and Founder, AHS

 

Reprinted with permission of Ann Landers and Creators Syndicate

For more information about Ann Landers and her books, please go to:

www.creators.com