Hereditary Hemochromatosis
(Iron Overload)

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow

Medical Author: Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

• What is hereditary hemochromatosis?
• How is hemochromatosis inherited?
• What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis?
• How is hemochromatosis diagnosed?
• How is hemochromatosis treated?
• What are dietary recommendations in hemochromatosis
• What are recommendations for screening for liver cancer in hemochromatosis?
• Related iron overload article:
  Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload) - on eMedicineHealth

What is hereditary hemochromatosis?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited (genetic) disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body (iron overload). It is a common genetic disorder among Caucasians in the United States, affecting approximately one in 240 to 300 Caucasians. Individuals affected with hereditary hemochromatosis may have no symptoms or signs (and have normal longevity), or they can have severe symptoms and signs of iron overload that include sexual dysfunction, heart failure, joint pains, liver cirrhosis , diabetes mellitus, fatigue, and darkening of skin.

The normal iron content of the body is three to four grams. The total amount of iron in the body is carefully controlled. The body loses one mg of iron daily from sweat and cells that are shed from the skin and the inner lining of the intestines. Women also lose one mg of iron daily on average from. In normal adults the intestines absorb one mg of iron daily from food to replace the lost iron, and therefore, there is no excess accumulation of iron in the body. When iron losses are greater, more iron is absorbed from food.

In individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis, the daily absorption of iron from the intestines is greater than the amount needed to replace losses. Since the normal body cannot increase iron excretion, the absorbed iron accumulates in the body. At this rate of iron accumulation, a man with hemochromatosis can accumulate 20 gram of total body iron by age 40 to 50. This excess iron deposits in the joints, liver, testicles, and heart, which causes damage to these organs, and causes signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis. Women with hemochromatosis accumulate iron at a slower rate than men because they lose more iron than men due to iron loss from menstruation and breastfeeding. Therefore, they typically develop signs and symptoms of organ damage due to excess iron 10 years later then men.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• deferoxamine-injection, Desferal - Consumer information about the medication DEFEROXAMINE - INJECTION (Desferal), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug DEFEROXAMINE - INJECTION.
• Liver Blood Tests - Learn about liver blood tests used to detect liver damage disease such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Tylenol liver damage, and more. This includes measuring the aminotransferases enzymes (AST and ALT levels)
• Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.

Read more Iron Overload related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Boomers Doomed to Disability?
• Gender Divorce Gap After Illness Strikes
• Cigarette Smoking's Decline Levels Off
• 22 Million Cases of Swine Flu in U.S.