Hemochromatosis is a condition in which your body absorbs and stores too much iron from food. Over time, this excess iron accumulates in vital organs-especially the liver, heart, and pancreas-causing damage if left untreated. Early diagnosis and management help prevent complications and improve quality of life.
Symptoms often appear gradually. As iron builds up, you may experience:
Hemochromatosis can develop due to several factors:
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With early diagnosis and proper treatment, most people with hemochromatosis live a full, healthy life comparable to the general population.
Yes; iron buildup can disrupt hormone balance and liver function, leading to metabolic changes that may result in weight gain for some individuals.
Although rare, it's possible. Organ damage or chronic blood loss (for example, from gastrointestinal bleeding) can lead to anemia even when iron stores are elevated.
Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure serum ferritin and transferrin saturation levels, followed by genetic testing (HFE gene) to confirm inherited forms.
Ferritin levels over 300 ng/mL in men or 200 ng/mL in women generally suggest iron overload and warrant further evaluation and treatment.
Avoid iron-rich foods like red meat and shellfish, limit alcohol (which increases iron absorption), and skip vitamin C supplements that boost iron uptake.
Yes. Women can develop hemochromatosis, but symptoms often appear later due to menstrual blood loss and pregnancies delaying iron buildup.
Key tests include serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, HFE gene analysis, and, if needed, liver imaging or biopsy to assess organ damage.
Initial phlebotomy sessions are usually weekly or biweekly until iron levels normalize, then maintenance treatments occur every few months to keep ferritin in target range.
If you experience persistent fatigue, joint pain, abnormal liver tests, or have a family history of iron overload, schedule an evaluation with a gastroenterologist promptly.
