Thalassemia Minor with Hemochromatosis

Hello! I too, have Thalassemia Minor and found out in my early teen years. I've been reading posts and can relate to SO many traits/symptoms. Obviously the fatigue, "foggy" feeling, palpitations, shortness of breath, generally tiring before the average person would. I also slept WAY late as a teen, and still require a good bit of sleep (though I'm a night owl and usually get close to 7 hours)...I've been VERY attentive to exercise in my 20's til present, as well as diet (pretty good :-) )  Am a somewhat high strung individual, trouble staying "put", or with much "idle" time...not a couch lounger, napper or anything. Whether it is stubborn or my thinking I'm being "tough"....lol.. I am late 30's now and over the last few years had several symptoms/changes in my health. Since one was noticeably worsened fatigue, it was hard to pinpoint....However, my smart GP decided to run a genetic test this year for hemochromatosis. I have it- a genetic mutation which causes my body to hold onto, or "store" iron. Thankfully it was caught early before any damage to my organs. I receive "phlebotomies" (bloodletting) biweekly for this. My levels are responding and they feel they did catch it early. But with Thalassemia AND hemochromatosis, my hematologist watches numbers carefully...
Guess I'm curious if any other Thallass.patients have been diagnosed with hemochromatosis?? Oftentimes, people won't have symptoms until later in life (30-50) or are being treated for other conditions that the hemoch. has caused (diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis, liver damage/cancer) and unaware they have it!

-"Energetic" :-)

[tired62]

I have both thalassemia & hemochromatosis have had many blood draws for a period of 2 years & now not so many every 3 months.  But I feel like crap my whole body hurts most of the time.  My feritin level was at 2000 when the Doc found the hemochromatosis and my age at 57 years.  I knew that I had thalassemia at around 20 years of age I had a niece that was a major & died with the diease.  Is there any thing we can do for some energy?  I'm tired all the time I need alot of sleep.  I work as a secretary 5 days a week it's really hard, but I guess it keeps me going.  Just wondering what someone else has to say..   Tired all the time