Hemochromatosis is when the body has too much iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule that red blood cells use to take oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If you have hemochromatosis, your body takes in and stores too much iron. This can cause harm to your heart, liver, and pancreas.
HemochromatosisHemochromatosis is when the body has too much iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the molecule that red blood cells use to take oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If you have hemochromatosis, your body takes in and stores too much iron. This can cause harm to your heart, liver, and pancreas.SymptomsYou may have hemochromatosis for many years and not have symptoms. In fact, some people never have symptoms, but most people will have them. Symptoms usually do not develop until after age 40. Symptoms may occur in men between ages 30 and 50. Men often have symptoms at an earlier age than women. Due to blood loss during regular menstrual periods, women usually don't complain of symptoms or complications until after menopause. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, joint pain, stomachache, unexplained weight loss, loss of interest in sex, and abnormal skin color, bronze or gray. If hemochromatosis is not found early and treated, iron builds up in the body, causing other symptoms.CausesThere are 3 types of hemochromatosis. Primary or hereditary hemochromatosis is the most common type. In this type, you inherit a gene from both of your parents. The gene causes your body to take in too much iron from the food you eat. Hemochromatosis can also occur if you have another health condition that causes iron to build up in the body. This type is called secondary hemochromatosis. The third type, neonatal-hemochromatosis, occurs in newborns.DiagnosisYour healthcare provider may suspect that you have hemochromatosis from your health history and your family history. He or she may also give you a physical exam. You may have tests. These can include blood tests to see how much iron is being carried in your blood. A blood test to see how much iron is stored in your liver. A blood test or cheek swab to test for the abnormal gene that causes primary hemochromatosis. A liver biopsy to look for iron and liver damage. This is done by taking a small piece of the liver to look at under a microscope. An MRI scan. This test makes images with radio waves, magnets, and a computer. It may be done to look for heart or liver problems.Risk factors and complicationsYou are at risk for primary hemochromatosis if you inherit the gene from both of your parents. You are at risk for secondary hemochromatosis if you have had blood transfusions for chronic or severe anemia, a condition in which you don't have enough red blood cells, or they are smaller than normal. You have had diseases or infections of the liver such as chronic hepatitis C or alcoholic liver disease or you have had too many iron pills or iron injections.Complications depend on where in your body the iron builds up. Possible complications include but are not limited to the following; arthritis, liver disease such as an enlarged liver, cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, liver cancer, or liver failure. Early menopause, abnormal skin pigmentation, heart problems such as heart failure, weak heart muscles, or irregular heart rhythms, diabetes, joint damage, or erectile dysfunction or impotence.TreatmentThe treatment for secondary hemochromatosis depends on the cause. Primary hemochromatosis can't be prevented or cured, but damage to the body from high levels of iron can be stopped. This can be done if the iron is removed early. There are common ways to do this:Therapeutic phlebotomy. This procedure takes blood and iron from the body through a needle put in a vein. It is like giving blood. It may be done weekly to once every few months. Chelation therapy. This is a medicine that binds to iron so that it can be taken out of the body by the kidneys. It may be used in people who can't have frequent therapeutic phlebotomy. The medicine may be injected at a healthcare provider's office or it may be taken by mouth at home.Changes in diet. You can take steps to prevent iron overload in your diet. What to doIf you have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. If you have a family history of primary hemochromatosis, ask your healthcare provider if you should be tested. If you have hemochromatosis, do not take iron in pills, vitamins, or injections. Ask your healthcare provider how much vitamin C you should have. Vitamin C increases the amount of iron the body can take in. Don't drink alcohol and stay away from uncooked seafood. It may contain bacteria that grow well with too much iron. This can lead to serious infections in people with this condition. After you have therapeutic phlebotomy, drink lots of fluids and do not exercise for a few days. Ask your healthcare provider if your family members should be tested for the condition.What we have learnedHemochromatosis is when the body has too many toxins in it. True or false? The answer is false. The body is overloaded with iron.Hemochromatosis can be cured if you take iron pills. True or false? The answer is false. You should not take iron pills, vitamins, or injections.If you have hemochromatosis, you should not drink alcohol. True or false? The answer is true. Alcohol can cause more damage to your liver.
Date Last Reviewed: 01/01/2021
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