I'm new to this site so hello to everyone! I have recently found out that I have a condition called Haemochromatosis, which means my body can't cope with iron and hangs onto it in my blood. If left untreated it starts to deposit it onto your liver or other vital organs and can make you very ill. The treatment is by venesection (bascially the same as donating blood - approx 1 pint a week). I asked the doc how this would affect my diabetes and he explained that my HbA1C would go quite low, but what I really eanted to know is how it will affect my blood sugar, and if I'll need more that just a biscuit and cup of tea afterwards. Does anyone know?
Venesection (removing blood)
- Thread starter Loopyyorkshirelass
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jopar
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I couldn't say how it will effect your blood glucose it could put it or down!
I would go well armed with meter test strips, what every you use for hypos (plenty of) and your quick acting insulin just incase you need to do a correction..
I would also advice that you test quite a bit in the following hours after they've finished, write it all down so that it will give you an idea what to expect durnng and after etc, I would be this pandantic for several times to see what pattern is being built so that you can then suss out your best moves where your insulin is concerned..
I would also have a word with the diabetic clininc (the hospital clinic would be better) as they might have more information with this procedure and it likely effects on your control..
I would go well armed with meter test strips, what every you use for hypos (plenty of) and your quick acting insulin just incase you need to do a correction..
I would also advice that you test quite a bit in the following hours after they've finished, write it all down so that it will give you an idea what to expect durnng and after etc, I would be this pandantic for several times to see what pattern is being built so that you can then suss out your best moves where your insulin is concerned..
I would also have a word with the diabetic clininc (the hospital clinic would be better) as they might have more information with this procedure and it likely effects on your control..
Hi Jopar! Thanks for this. Fortunately my haemochromatosis is being dealt with in the the same department as my diabetes (diabetes and endochrine) so the two consultants are basically next to each other. I'll ask more questions when they confirm the treatment and give me a start date. I've had diabetes since I was 2 yrs old and as I'm now 31 I've got used to always having something with me just in case, so hopefully I'll be OK, and it's nice to have an excuse to eat chocolate whenever possible 
LittleSue
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- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Maybe they could give you CGMS ( 72-hour glucose monitor) just before your first venesection - to give more detailed info on what happens to your sugar levels, including that night, without having to test so intensively. Just an idea....
Just thought I'd let you know that it doesn't affect my BG at all, it does affect haemoglobin in general, so HbA1c results aren't necessarily reliable, but no problems so far.
