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Following routine blood tests that showed damage to her liver, Sarah was diagnosed with genetic haemochromatosis.

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Discovering that she has cirrhosis as a result of the condition, Sarah discusses the anxiety that comes with an unexpected diagnosis, and the struggle to find answers. 

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I’ve had gout for years, so they put me on tablets and monitored my bloods every month. They kept saying everything was fine, then one Friday, the doctor rang and asked, ‘how much alcohol are you drinking?’ I don’t drink alcohol at all. She said, ‘that’s not what your liver is saying.’ 

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It all spiralled from that. The GP said it was iron overload, I had a FibroScan, and I’ve got cirrhosis.  

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He came up with lots of jargon which I had no idea about. When I asked for information, he said I’ll get something in the post. I’ve been left in limbo with nothing. 

I feel like the consultant doesn’t have time for me. I wasn’t seen for 18 months and then I had the FibroScan and my levels were hopping all over the place.  

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I just feel like I’m constantly complaining so I don’t say much now. I told my kids to go and get tested, the GP rang my son back and said, no, you don’t need to be tested. 

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It’s all a roundabout, you just can’t get off.  

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