Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, found in red blood cells. In your bloodstream, iron helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the heart and then throughout your body. Foods rich in iron include meats, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Too much iron in the blood, or hemochromatosis, is a condition of abnormal iron metabolism that causes a buildup of the mineral in organs and other tissues. Several factors may contribute to hemochromatosis.
Genetics
Hereditary hemochromatosis is the result of single or double gene mutations that are passed down in families, particularly those of European descent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 1 million people in the United States have these mutations, although not all of them will develop hemochromatosis. Early symptoms of the condition may include weakness, fatigue and abdominal pain. Disease progression leads to arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes and heart disease. Iron deposits may alter the skin color. Hereditary hemochromatosis is present at birth but typically causes symptoms in adulthood, damaging the body over many years.
Juvenile hemochromatosis is a rare and more severe form affecting people under the age of 30. It is caused by other genetic mutations. Treatment for hemochromatosis may include therapeutic blood removal; to become a frequent donor at a local blood bank, you must meet eligibility standards.
Anemia
You could be at risk for hemochromatosis if you have a disease such as thallasemia major or sickle cell anemia. Secondary hemochromatosis may occur as a result of such conditions, which require repeated blood transfusions. German researcher N. Gatterman, in an article published in the July 2009 "Deutsches Arzteblatt," states that each unit of red blood cells contains up to 250 mg of iron. Hepcidin, a peptide hormone produced in the liver, normally regulates iron absorption to prevent hemochromatosis. But in anemic disorders, hepcidin production may be suppressed, leading to iron overload that could cause heart failure and death.
Alcoholism
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that alcoholism may cause secondary hemochromatosis. Over time, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis, the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scarring. The liver may be unable to produce hepciden to regulate iron absorption. With any type of hemochromatosis, drinking may increase the risk of liver damage. The Iron Disorders Institute advises that excess iron accelerates the aging process by giving rise to free radicals that cause cell damage. This damage occurs throughout the body and is made worse when the body's natural antioxidant defenses are weakened by the over-consumption of alcoholic beverages and the under-consumption of fruits and vegetables.
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