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Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HHC) is a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron, leading to serious health complications if left untreated. Many people go undiagnosed for years, mistaking symptoms for other conditions.

In this episode of Rare Chef, I sit down with Michael J. Tallon, an author, traveler, and rare disease advocate, to discuss his personal journey with hemochromatosis. Michael’s battle with iron overload nearly cost him everything, but it also gave him a powerful story to tell. His memoir, Incompatible with Life, explores his experiences with the disease and his incredible life adventures—from teaching in Brooklyn to bartending in Guatemala.

🔗 Read the introduction to Michael’s unpublished book here:
👉 https://www.michaeljtallon.com/book

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#Hemochromatosis #RareDisease #RareChef #MichaelJTallon #IncompatibleWithLife #IronOverload #HealthAdvocacy

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb to much iron leading to serious health complications if left untreated. Many people go undiagnosed for years mistaking other conditions for other conditions.
In this episode of Rare Connection, I sit down with Michael J. Talon an author, traveler and rare disease advocateto discuss his personal journey with Hemochromatosis. Michael's battle with Iron Overload nearly cost him everything, bit it also gave him a powerful story to tell. His memoir, "Incompatible with Life:" explains his experiences wtth the disease and his incredible life adventures from teaching in Brooklyn to bartending in Guatemala.
Read the introduction of Michael's unpublished book here: michaeljtalon.com/book
If you found this episode insightful please subscribe to my YouTube channel Rare chef, and my podcast Rare Connection wherever you are listing or watching. Please also like and comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Check out Mike's website: https://www.michaeljtallon.com/
Chapter Markers
0:000:00 Intro
0:02:00 Hereditary Hemochromotosis can be picked up with a family histiry screening
0:03::29 early signs
0:06:22 Misdiagnosis with diabetes
0:07:39 Doctor suspects cirrhosis
0:10:11 New Radiologist finds cirhosis
0:11:34 Mike goes home to New York
0:12:33 Mike's father buys him health insurance
0:13:09 Fibroscan
0:15:08 Liver Transplant recommended
0:15:21 Mike is ordered to stop drinking
0:16:21 Portal Vein Hypertension
0:17:05 Mike is put on beta blockers
0:17:40 Heart failure
0:18:22 Mike passes out
0:20:16 step down unit
0:21:14 High Ferritin level
0:23:23 Mike is transfered to the cardiac ward
0:24:08 Mike is diagnosed with Hereditary Hemochromotosis at 48
0:24:36 Hereditary Hemochromotosis is commonly diagnosed at autopsy
0:28:49 Hereditary Hemochromotosis is most common in a Keltic population
0:30:20 Challenges and misconceptions
0:32:28 What symptoms should you look for
0:34:38 How HH changed Mike's daily life
0:37:24 suicide attempt
0:38:29 turning point
0:40:04 Long Term changes
0:40:56 Treatment For HH
0:44:36 History

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