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At the time I went for the test, I didn’t know anything about iron overload so I wasn’t concerned…when the nurse went through the symptoms, I was completely in denial.

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My skin had become really grey. I must have been looking noticeably ill because people were commenting after venesections, saying my skin looks so much better. 

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Before I knew I had this, I had been taking iron supplements because I thought that’s why I was tired.

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It wasn’t until I had the venesections that I realised how unwell I had been.

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My GP was really on the ball, but my sister can’t get diagnosed. Her doctor won’t send her off for the genetic test even though both parents are carriers.

(Epilogue – learning of Nikki’s sister during the photoshoot, the charity arranged for her to be tested. The results show that she also has genetic haemochromatosis and she is now being monitored by her doctor for iron overload.)

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