[Chirley]

Thanks for your replies Helen and Catherine.

I had a visit with my GP this morning and he acknowledged my right to refuse treatment. He also said that I was stupid (but with a smile). My ferritin level has increased another 100 in a month so I have been referred to a hepatologist to see what's going on. That appt is for the 14th March.

I went to the GP to see if I could get a clearance to return to work but unfortunately he refused and told me that he considers me to be permanently unfit for work and said that he thinks that I may be "terminal". He suggested taking my superannuation and enjoy spending some of it on a holiday. I still have 6 months paid long service leave and 1 months paid annual leave owing to me which I might take so I can leave my superannuation accumulate for a while yet. I hate thinking about financial things.

Helen, I'll send you a PM later on after I do some housework (visitors coming eeek).

Catherine, still no metabolic test results? If Bruce does have IV copper can you take note of the type of copper, what the dose is and how it's given. I wrote to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester but they wouldn't release that type of information to a layperson.

You would think that if Celiac disease interferes with iron absorption it would interfere with copper, zinc etc. I have had small bowel biopsies and I know I don't have celiac but I have had very high anti gliadin antibodies in my blood on a number of occasions. I don't know the significance of this in view of the negative biopsies. (also had very high gastrin levels).

I have my State Member of Parliament coming to my house shortly and I told him that I would have to clean the house before he came. He told me not to bother because his house was messy but I can't help myself, I'm doing a bit of a panic.

Better go.

Bye for now.