Hemochromatosis is a condition that causes the body to accumulate too much iron. Storing large amounts of iron can damage organs and raises the risk of developing several serious conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders and liver problems. Hemochromatosis is a relatively common genetic disease that affects about five people in 1,000, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It usually affects Caucasians; men and women are equally likely to inherit the gene. Several treatment options and lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of hemochromatosis include joint pain, fatigue, lack of energy and loss of sex drive. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that many people have not experienced any symptoms at the time of diagnosis. If the disease is not found early, arthritis can result because iron accumulates in joints. The liver could develop cirrhosis or cancer, or it might fail in serious cases. Excess iron also can cause heart arrhythmias or heart failure, and it can cause the skin to look gray- or bronze-colored. Symptoms usually first appear between age 30 and 50 in men and after age 50 in women.
Diagnosis
Blood tests may provide information to confirm a doctor's suspicion that a patient has hemochromatosis. One test measures the amount of iron bound to a carrier protein, and another checks the amount of iron stored in the liver. Sometimes a liver biopsy is used to measure the amount of iron present and also to look for liver damage. Genetic tests can be performed on a blood sample to confirm that a patient carries a mutated gene, called HFE, that causes hemochromatosis.
Risk Factors
Risk factors that predispose a person to hemochromatosis include having a parent or sibling with the disease. People who are descended from Northern European ancestors are most likely to develop the disease, while African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans are least likely, according to the Mayo Clinic. Men develop symptoms earlier than women, because women lose iron monthly during menstruation. However, the risk increases for post-menopausal women or women who have undergone a hysterectomy.
Treatments
The body stores iron in hemoglobin in red blood cells. Therefore, the most common treatment for hemochromatosis is to remove blood on a regular schedule. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that a pint of blood may be taken initially every week for several months to a year, to bring iron levels back to normal. After that, blood will be removed on a schedule that maintains iron in a normal range. Medications may be preferable for some patients. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends that patients visit a specialized hemochromatosis center to pursue treatment.
Role of Diet
Diet plays an important role in hemochromatosis. People with the disorder absorb 30 percent of the iron in food, compared with 10 percent in most people. Dietary changes may help patients minimize their iron intake. The Hemochromatosis Information Center recommends a diet low in red meat and animal fats. Because sugar and vitamin C increase iron absorption, patients also should avoid sugary food and citrus fruit. Spinach should be added to the diet, because it contains compounds called oxalates, which interfere with iron uptake. Fiber also impairs iron absorption, so a high-fiber diet also might help.
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