Hemochromotosis is a disorder which causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. This disorder can be inherited as in the case of primary hemochromotosis, or caused by other disorders such as anemia and alcoholism as in secondary hemochromotosis. Overload of iron in the body can build up in the organs--primarily the heart, liver, and pancreas--damage them and ultimately cause them to fail. If untreated, this disorder can lead to severe or even fatal medical issues.
Early Warning Signs
Hemochromotosis is extremely difficult to diagnose because early warning signs of the disease are very similar to other diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early warning signs of hemochromotosis include fatigue, general body weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain and joint pain.
Early Stages of Disease
As iron begins to build up in the organs of the body, some additional symptoms may become evident. Symptoms associated with light iron build up may include impotence or loss of sex drive, loss of body hair and shortness of breath. Women who are diagnosed with hemochromotosis may experience changes in menstrual cycle or early menopause as iron begins to build up in the body. Although this is not a physical symptom, liver enzyme levels will begin to elevate as the liver works harder to rid the body of excess iron.
Advanced Symptoms
As hemochromotosis progresses and large amounts of iron are absorbed in the bodily organs, more serious medical conditions may become evident. Some serious medical conditions associated with excess iron include liver disorders such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, heart failure, diabetes, constant abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythms, arthritis and skin discoloration usually gray or bronze in appearance.
