Iron Overload

denomc · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi,

I've recently been diagnosed with HH. I'm waiting for an appointment with a consultant for my treatment. I've read through the websites and found them very useful and this forum is a good source of personal information.
I'm 35, my ferritin level is 687 and transferrin saturation level is 67%.
Apart from the tiredness and other symptoms I've read on the forum, I'm also noticing an odour of urine. I've been tested for any infections and all clear. I've read that cirrhosis of the liver can be caused by HH, but my doctor says my liver and kidney are working fine. Anyone else have this symptom, will it go once I get the blood letting treatment. It's getting beyond embarrassing in work.

Thanks is advance

Denis

Bill F · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 130 Location: Maryland, USA

Denis...I've never heard of urine odor as being linked with any aspect HH. However. see this link for a discussion of several medical conditions that can cause it.

http://www.cureresearch.com/sym/urine_odor.htm#list

Also, you didn't mention if this symptom is associated with the odor or passed urine, or a urine-like or ammonia-like odor from perspiration or exhaled breath. There are some potentially serious conditions characterized by changes in breath or perspiration odor.

Have you discussed this secifically with your doc?

denomc · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi Bill,

I did speak to my Doc, had tests for Urinary tratc infection and other tests. All came back negative, but my ferritin levels were high and I was diagnosed with HH.
I went to another Doc and he said I had a gum infection and I had every strong odour from my breath and gave me antibiotics and said to see if that helps.
I believe the odour does still happen from time to time.
I had ultrasounds on my organs relating to my HH, got the results last thursday all came back normal. I think it's related to my breath. What conditions do you know relate to breath.

Thanks for repling

Denis

Bill F · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 130 Location: Maryland, USA

Denis...I am not a health care professional, so anything I say is purely from a layman's perspective. That said, as seen in this link a fishy or uniney small on the breath can indicate chronic kidney failure...

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/breath-odor/overview.html

Also a sweet/ketone smell in the breath or urine can be a symptom of diabetes.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Diabetes-and-Bad-Breath&id=344015

This is not to scare you, but if these symptoms a longstanding and persistent you ought to see a good internist and insist he/she ferret out the underlying cause.

denomc · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Thanks Bill,

Diabetes came back negative and my kidneys are working fine from the tests. I think I'll go back to the second doc just to see what he might be able to add.

Thanks again.

Denis

Ironman85 · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

What does your urine smell like?
My ferritin keeps going in that range too and my urine has a stale smell kinda like if you were to smell a urine that's been sitting there for a while. It's also always the same colour(amberish), and I think it stains the toilet bowl. I've always just thought it was because of iron being excreted in it's whole form since it can't be broke down.

denomc · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Hi,

My consultant said it wasn't anything to do with the iron. I went back to my GP. more tests with no explaination. I went to a second GP. He said I had an infection on my gums. I was put onantibotics and it solved the urine smell too. Sorry I can't be any more help. I was told i have halitosis too (bad breath).