Hemochromatosis Symptoms

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron and store it in the different organs. In this disorder, the ability to break down iron decreases and too much of iron is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. This disorder may affect many parts of the body, and lead to many hemochromatosis symptoms. Most of these symptoms are similar to different conditions. Also, many people with hemochromatosis never show any signs and symptoms related to this disorder.

Hemochromatosis Causes
Hemochromatosis occurs when there is too much iron in the body. There are two types of hemochromatosis that may affect a person. The first type is the primary hemochromatosis. This condition occurs when there is a genetic mutation in the body. The gene associated with hereditary hemochromatosis is the HFE gene that regulates the amount of iron absorbed from food. It also occurs if one undergoes blood transfusion to improve blood iron levels. Primary hemochromatosis is a very common genetic disorder in US. It is estimated about 1 in every 200 to 300 Americans suffer from this disease.

The second type is the secondary hemochromatosis. This disease is caused by underlying health disorders like thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia. This condition occurs when a patient receives a large number of blood transfusions. People with hemolytic anemia, chronic alcoholism, etc. have chances of developing hemochromatosis. Another condition called the neonatal hemochromatosis and juvenile hemochromatosis have unknown cause. In both conditions, there is too much iron in blood that causes heart and liver problems.

Symptoms in Children
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes accumulation of iron in different organs like liver, pancreas, heart, etc., hemochromatosis symptoms in children are as follows:

• Joint pain
• Arthritis
• Decrease in energy levels
• Weight loss
• Pain in abdomen
• Hair loss
• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy
• Liver disease like hepatomegaly
• Liver failure
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Ameonorrhea

Many children show absence of symptoms of hemochromatosis. The symptoms of hemochromatosis in children develop late in life when there is too much iron accumulated in their body.

Symptoms in Women
Hemochromatosis is a condition that affects woman's health adversely. Women tend to develop severe symptoms. The hemochromatosis symptoms in women are as follows:

• Skin discoloration (bronze tinge) due to iron accumulation
• Loss of sexual desire
• Joint pain
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of body hair
• Weight loss
• Onset of diabetes
• Early menopause

It has been observed that it affects women as young as 20 to the age of 50 years.

Symptoms in Men
Hemochromatosis symptoms in men develop slowly over the years. Men between the age group of 30 to 50 years tend to develop the symptoms. The hemochromatosis symptoms in men are as follows:

• Abdominal pain
• Hepatomegaly
• Changes in skin color (bronze tinge)
• Diabetes
• Decrease in sexual drive
• Liver cirrhosis
• Impotence
• Increase in urination
• Liver inflammation
• Liver cancer
• Arrhythmias
• Atrophy of testicles
• Erectile problems
• Redness of palms
• Enlarged spleen

When over 10 g of iron accumulates in the body, men begin to show the symptoms.

Advanced Stage Symptoms
Hemochromatosis does not have a specific set of symptoms that pin point towards the condition. These symptoms are similar to other diseases. In the advanced stage of the disorder, the following conditions are seen affecting the health of an individual:

• Arthritis
• Abnormal liver function
• Heart abnormality
• Adrenal gland damage
• Damage to the spleen
• Recurrent infections
• Neurological problems
• Infertility

Hemochromatosis Treatment
The hemochromatosis treatment includes phlebotomy. This is a process, where the blood from the body is removed at regular intervals. This helps in bringing the high levels of iron in the body down. The amount of blood removed depends on the age, health of the patient and severity of the disease. If phlebotomy is not possible, then the doctor may prescribe medications that can be injected in the body or take in form of pills. This medication helps in expelling the excess iron in urine and stool. One may also be advised a specific hemochromatosis diet to keep the iron levels in body in control.

If one experiences most of the above mentioned symptoms without any apparent health disorder, speak to your doctor. A blood test may help detect hemochromatosis disorder. For further queries, speak to your healthcare provider.