All about hemochromatosis  causes of hemochromatosis risk factors for hemochromatosis symptoms of hemochromatosis diagnosis of hemochromatosis treatments for hemochromatosis Articles in liver diseases - cirrhosis of the liver hemochromatosis primary sclerosing cholangitis primary biliary cirrhosis alagille syndrome alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency Crigler-Najjar syndrome hepatitis fatty liver liver transplant Wilson's disease ascites cholestasis jaundice liver encephalopathy liver failure portal hypertension |
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What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis can develop at any age, but symptoms usually do not occur until middle age (between the ages of 40 and 60). Women often develop the symptoms at a later age than men, probably because women lose significant amounts of iron through menstruation and pregnancy. The damage to the liver and other organs comes from long-term storage of excessive iron. The symptoms of hemochromatosis include fatigue, weight loss, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chronic abdominal pain, and impaired sexual performance. The patient may also show symptoms commonly connected with heart failure, diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver. Changes in the pigment of the skin may appear, such as grayness in certain areas, or a tanned or yellow (jaundice) appearance. Serious and sometimes fatal health problems may result from the excess iron that accumulates in the body. Symptoms associated with hemochromatosis most often appear in middle age, although some people may develop problems earlier. These symptoms reflect the tissue and organ damage that result from the disease. |
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More information on hemochromatosis
What is hemochromatosis? - Hemochromatosis is an inherited blood disorder also known as iron overload, bronze diabetes, hereditary hemochromatosis and familial hemochromatosis.
What causes hemochromatosis? - Hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in a gene called HFE, which helps regulate the amount of iron absorbed from food.
What are the risk factors for hemochromatosis? - The risk factors for hemochromatosis are alcohol, diet, gender, blood loss, and mutation type.
What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis? - The symptoms of hemochromatosis include fatigue, weight loss, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chronic abdominal pain, and impaired sexual performance.
How is hemochromatosis diagnosed? - The most common diagnostic methods for hemochromatosis are blood tests and liver biopsy. A liver biopsy often is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
What are the treatments for hemochromatosis? - The most effective treatment of hemochromatosis is to reduce the blood iron by removing blood using phlebotomy (withdrawal of blood from the arm veins). |
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