Hemochromatosis
Iron overload; Blood transfusion - hemochromatosisHemochromatosis is a condition in which there is too much iron in the body. It is also called iron overload.
Causes
Hemochromatosis may be a genetic disorder passed down through families.
- People with this type absorb too much iron through their digestive tract. Iron builds up in the body. The liver, heart, and pancreas are common organs where iron builds up.
- It is present at birth, but may not be diagnosed for years.
Hemochromatosis may also occur as a result of:
- Too many blood transfusions in a person with blood disorders such as thalassemia or certain anemias. Over time this may lead to iron overload.
Blood transfusions
There are many reasons you may need a blood transfusion:After knee or hip replacement surgery, or other major surgery that results in blood lossAfter...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThalassemia
Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form or inadequate amount of hemoglobin....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAnemias
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Long-term alcohol use and other health conditions.
This disorder affects more men than women. It is most common in white people of northern European descent.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue, lack of energy, weakness
- Generalized darkening of skin color (often referred to as bronzing)
- Joint pain
- Loss of body hair
- Loss of sexual desire
- Weight loss
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may show liver and spleen swelling, and skin color changes.
Blood tests may help make the diagnosis. Tests may include:
- Ferritin level
Ferritin level
The ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein inside your cells that stores iron. It allows your body ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Iron level
Iron level
A serum iron test measures how much iron is in your blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Percentage of transferrin saturation (high)
- Genetic testing
Other tests may include:
- Blood sugar (glucose) level
- Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing baby during pregnancy. AFP levels go down soon after birth. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Echocardiogram to examine the heart's function
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Electrocardiogram (ECG) to look at the electrical activity of the heart
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
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Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound
CT scans
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleUltrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Liver function tests
The condition may be confirmed with a liver biopsy or genetic testing. If a genetic defect is confirmed, other blood tests can be used to find out if other family members are at risk for iron overload.
Liver biopsy
A liver biopsy is a test that takes a sample of tissue from the liver for examination.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTreatment
The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body and treat any organ damage.
A procedure called phlebotomy is the best method for removing excess iron from the body:
- One half liter of blood is removed from the body each week until the body's iron stores are depleted. This may take many months to do.
- After that, the procedure may be done less often to maintain normal iron stores.
Why the procedure is needed depends on your symptoms and levels of hemoglobin and serum ferritin and how much iron you take in your diet.
For people unable to undergo phlebotomy, medicines may be prescribed to reduce the body's iron.
Other health problems such as diabetes, decreased testosterone levels in men, arthritis, liver failure, and heart failure will be treated.
If you are diagnosed with hemochromatosis, your provider may recommend a diet to reduce how much iron is absorbed through your digestive tract. Your provider may recommend the following:
- Do not drink alcohol, especially if you have liver damage.
- Do not take iron pills or vitamins containing iron.
- Do not use iron cookware.
- Limit foods fortified with iron, such as 100% iron-fortified breakfast cereals.
- Avoid uncooked shellfish.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Untreated, iron overload can lead to liver damage.
Extra iron may also build up in other areas of the body, including the thyroid gland, testicles, pancreas, pituitary gland, heart, or joints. Early treatment can help prevent complications such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis or diabetes.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDiabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHow well you do depends on the amount of organ damage. Some organ damage can be reversed when hemochromatosis is detected early and treated aggressively with phlebotomy.
Possible Complications
Complications include:
- Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Liver failure
- Liver cancer
The disease may lead to the development of:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Increased risk for certain bacterial infections
- Testicular atrophy
- Skin color changes
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if symptoms of hemochromatosis develop.
Contact your provider for an appointment (for screening) if a family member has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis.
Prevention
Screening family members of a person diagnosed with hemochromatosis may detect the disease early so that treatment can be started before organ damage has occurred in other affected relatives.
References
Bacon BR, Fleming RE. Hemochromatosis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 75.
Camaschella C. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 37.
Hepatomegaly - illustration
Hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. Certain conditions such as infection, parasites, tumors, anemias, toxic states, storage diseases, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and metabolic disturbances may all cause an enlarged liver.
Hepatomegaly
illustration
Hepatomegaly - illustration
Hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. Certain conditions such as infection, parasites, tumors, anemias, toxic states, storage diseases, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and metabolic disturbances may all cause an enlarged liver.
Hepatomegaly
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.