I feel extraordinarly lucky to have been diagnosed

“I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than 18 years ago and a test for haemochromatosis was one of the initial tests that the GP carried out. It showed up quickly that I had seriously high ferritin levels.

I was not in good health at the time. I had joint pains, I was cranky, tired and generally out of sorts. I realised that if I hadn’t been diagnosed with haemochromatosis at that time, I’d be a dead man now.

I immediately began an aggressive treatment programme for the condition. In fact, I had over 40 phlebotomies – which are a form of prescribed blood donation – to lower the amount of iron in my body. It took almost weekly visits to the hospital over three years to bring the levels of iron in my blood under control. I went in for the phlebotomies at about 7.30am before I went into work. It was a fantastic moment when the haemochromatosis was under control. That was in 2003 and since then, I have only to go two or three times a year for a phlebotomy to keep the condition under control. 

I feel extraordinarily lucky to have been diagnosed when I was. Because, once you’ve had a diagnosis of haemochromatosis, the treatment is straightforward. My liver was damaged somewhat but it seems to be okay now. The problem is that people can become very ill and even die from complications of the condition if not diagnosed early enough. Haemochromatosis is a genetic condition. I am the eldest of 10 and my sister has been diagnosed with it too. 

In my case, the diagnosis of haemochromatosis has meant that I have averted serious liver disease and possible heart failure. I have also averted a catastrophic decline in my quality of life. In fact, I’ve a lot more energy now than during that period of time when I was diagnosed and treated – even though I’m 18 years older.” (Maurice is Chancellor of the National University of Ireland. This piece is an excerpt of an interview with the Irish Times, 2015).