What's it like becoming a GH blood donor?

Our Social Media Community and Volunteer Manager, Elizabeth reflects on her experiences of the new blood donation scheme and shares some details from behind-the-scenes. Read more

Marilyn suffered from fatigue and arthritis for years until...

...being diagnosed with genetic haemochromatosis, a genetic condition which means the body absorbs too much iron. Read more

Mark diagnosed with haemochromatosis after father died of liver cancer

Mark Williams knows how lucky he is to have been diagnosed with haemochromatosis – all because he pressed for investigation of a sore shoulder. Read more

Haemochromatosis battle hindered by iron-eating sea creature

Mike Smith, 66, feels he has been “dismantled” by haemochromatosis, having endured battles with blood iron levels since he was diagnosed in 1998, culminating in liver cancer. Read more

What is Transferrin Saturation ?

What is Transferrin Saturation - and why is it important to keep it at the correct levels? Read more

Anna's story

The real-life story of one young woman's experience of genetic haemochromatosis - "It may be rare, but it's real to me". Read more

Gail Pearce Volunteer Designer

Gail Pearce explains why she volunteers for HUK Read more

I think I’d heard of the condition before but I didn’t know anything about it.

was diagnosed with haemochromatosis following a few joint aches and pains that had been dismissed as part of getting older and being busy. I did a blood test and saw that I had really high iron levels, so went to my GP for full blood counts and was diagnosed. Read more

The information I’ve had from the charity has always been really useful, especially when it comes to sharing it with family so they can understand it too.

My haemochromatosis diagnosis was pretty unexpected. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the late ‘90s and my endocrinologist just couldn’t understand why. Read more

It was such a relief to have an explanation for how ill and tired I’d been feeling.

I’d felt pretty unwell for a while before I was diagnosed with haemochromatosis. I was feeling weak, tired, breathless and had quite a lot of joint pain. Read more

I really had to push to get a diagnosis and at times it felt like it would be easier to just give up, but I felt so strongly about it.

I had known about haemochromatosis for a long time as my dad had been diagnosed with it. At the time - about 20 years ago -  we thought it was unlikely that I’d have it too and going to the doctor when you felt healthy wasn’t really the “done thing”. You didn’t really go to the doctors if you felt well, and no-one requested tests like they do now. Read more