Published on Jul 26, 2019 - 2 min read
Abstract
Iron overload (Hemochromatosis) is a heterogeneous group of disease resulting from inherited and acquired causes, which leads to body destruction and complication.
What is Hemochromatosis?
Consuming too much iron or too much iron absorption can damage the body. The skin color changes to bronze. High iron levels can be both good and bad for the cardiovascular system. It may lower the clogging of arteries, or it may show the risk of blood clots. While examining people, three types of risks were identified, which are:
So here, the higher levels of iron will protect the blood vessels from atherosclerosis and risk for formation of thrombosis related to stasis of blood.
Excessive iron is stored in the liver, heart, pancreas, and other organs. This can damage the pancreas, which causes diabetes, hereditary hemochromatosis, cancer, and heart disease.
In women, due to loss of blood during menses, hemochromatosis is less common than males. Blood loss reduces iron levels.
What Are the Types of IRON Overload?
Iron overload disorders can be divided into two types.
Those who are diagnosed hemochromatosis need necessary treatment to avoid further iron deposition in the body.
What Causes Hemochromatosis?
Some genetic factors of two copies of mutated high iron (HFE gene) are the most important cause for hemochromatosis. In family history, if a parent has this gene, the child, brother, or sister might get this disease. Males are more commonly affected than females. Women may develop this disease after menopause or hysterectomy.
Healthy people absorb up to 10 % of iron of the total iron consumed. If 30 % or more iron is absorbed from the total consumed, it results in hemochromatosis. Excess iron destroys organs about 5 to 20 times the amount of iron in the body, which results in organ failures like cirrhosis, heart disease, and diabetes.
Juvenile hemochromatosis is an inherited disease that results from defects in the gene called hemojuvelin. A person without genetic mutation due to the result of a condition triggers secondary hemochromatosis.
In newborn babies, the accumulation of iron results in neonatal hemochromatosis.
What Are the Symptoms of IRON Overload?
They may develop arthritis, heart disease, joint diseases.
What Are the Diagnostic Tests?
What Are the Treatment Options?
Last reviewed at:
26 Jul 2019 - 2 min read
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Dr. Potnuru Srinivaasa Sudhakar
Homeopathy
Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload: Causes, Diagnosis, Clinical Presentation and Management
Article Overview: Hemochromatosis is a congenital condition in which an HFE gene mutation is present. So, increased iron absorption occurs irrespective of intake. More iron gets accumulated and iron storage increases. If the condition progresses, then iron gets accumulated in other organs apart from bone marrow like in liver, spleen, myocardium, joints, testes, skin, etc. Lets read more about this condition. Read Article
Hemochromatosis is a congenital condition in which an HFE gene mutation is present. So, increased iron absorption occurs irrespective of intake. More iron gets accumulated, and iron storage increases. If the condition progresses, then iron gets accumulated in other organs apart from bone marrow like... Read Article
Query: Hello doctor,My son is 1 and a half years old. A few months ago we came to know that his Hb is 4.3 and Hb F is 92 percent and that he has beta thalassemia intermedia. He was immediately transfused once. Now he is taking vitamin C, and Hydroxy and Folic acid and his Hb are 10.2. Please suggest some d... Read Full »
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