The Disease of Hemochromatosis or Iron Overload

Iron overload occurs when the body absorbs too much iron over many years and the excess builds up in organ tissues such as heart tissue and liver tissue. The overload usually occurs as result of a gene mutation that causes the body to absorb more than a healthy amount of iron. It is a dangerous condition because it can lead to hemochromatosis. These disease symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Organ damage

There is actually no definite set of symptoms for this disease, which makes diagnosing this disease difficult as the symptoms are like symptoms of many other diseases. Early diagnosis of iron overload is the key to preventing hemochromatosis. Blood tests, which are inexpensive and can be done at the doctor's office, can measure the iron levels within the body.

Simple blood tests can measure the iron levels within your body. The tests are inexpensive and can be done at your doctor's office. Symptoms usually begin in middle age; however, some people get sick sooner, others later.

Hemochromatosis left untreated can lead to other conditions that include:

• Liver cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Impotence for men
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Infertility and premature births
• Bronze skin menopause for women

The treatment for hemochromatosis is "phlebotomy." This is the same procedure used when you donate blood. The procedure takes about one hour while a nurse takes about a pint of blood from a vein in your arm. A doctor must monitor your health more closely than if you were just donating blood as this disease requires frequent phlebotomies. How often and how many depend on how much iron has built up in the body. Most common is to have them once or twice a week for a year or more. Once the iron level is lowered to a safe level phlebotomies are required less often and usually a few times per year.

There are usually few if any side effects from having phlebotomies. Some people feel fine, others feel tired afterwards and have to rest for an hour or so. It is a good idea to drink liquids such as water, milk, or fruit juices before and after a phlebotomy. The phlebotomies are performed at any blood donation center such as hospitals, clinics and bloodmobiles. Without the phlebotomies, hemochromatosis can cause death.

This disease runs in families so if your blood relatives have it, such as your parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children, you may have it also. If you have this disease it is helpful to tell blood relatives of their risk. Family members should be urged to get their iron levels checked. People who start treatment early can stay healthy.

For more information about this disease:

• National Human Genome Research Institute: Information on genetics
• Iron Disorders Institute

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Online