Hemochromatosis Symptoms

Hemochromatosis is a disorder that can have both genetic and non-genetic origins. Most often, it is a hereditary condition. The disease causes the body to store too much iron in the tissues. Iron metabolism is abnormal, and the liver, pancreas, and other organs store too much iron which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which can be fatal. The body can simply not break down the iron and an overload of iron gets absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and stored in the body. There are two main forms of hemochromatosis which include the primary and secondary sub-types. Primary hemochromatosis is a genetic problem, the most common in America, and it can also be caused by an influx of blood transfusions with too much iron in them. Secondary hemochromatosis is an acquired condition that can co-occur with thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, chronic alcoholism, and a host of other conditions.

More women than men are afflicted with hemochromatosis. Caucasian and European women seem to be the largest affected group. The symptoms start to occur most commonly after the age of 30 and 50. It is likely to occur in families.

Specifically, hemochromatosis is caused by a mutation in the gene that balances the amount of iron in the foodstuffs that you eat. Parents pass these genetic mutations down to children. The specific gene is called HFE. Each parent has an HFE gene so if both parents pass this gene down on to you, then the conditions are right for getting hemochromatosis. The chances are 25% that you’ll get hemochromatosis. However, both of your parents may not even have the disease. However, both genes being present doesn’t guarantee hemochromatosis. Only one gene will not give you the condition. The difference between normal people who eat iron and those with hemochromatosis is that those with condition absorb 20% more iron. The stored iron wreaks havoc on organs and cause organ failure and cirrhosis, as previously mentioned, as well as diabetes, another degenerative condition.

There are variations on the primary forms of hemochromatosis. These are called juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis. Symptoms occur much earlier in juvenile hemochromatosis. Neonatal hemochromatosis causes iron to build up rapidly in the baby’s liver leading to death.

Other causes of the disease can include iron pills, iron injections, vitamin C intake through enhanced absorption of iron through artificially high doses of vitamin C, and long-term kidney dialysis.