Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Description
A disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from the diet. The excess iron is stored in organs, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas. The excess iron can poison these organs, leading to conditions such as liver disease, heart problems, and diabetes.
Common Symptoms
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of sex drive
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
Common Causes
- Caused by a mutation in a gene (most commonly the HFE gene) that controls the amount of iron your body absorbs from food. It is an inherited disorder.
Treatment Information
The main treatment is regularly removing blood from the body (phlebotomy), similar to donating blood, to reduce iron levels to normal.
Important: This information is for educational purposes only.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.