Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
Iron overload in the United States is an inherited condition, runs in families, called hereditary
hemochromatosis. Most people don't experience symptoms related to hemochromatosis until later in life, usually between the ages of 30 and 50 in men and after age 50 in women. Women are more likely to have symptoms after menopause, when they no longer lose iron with menstruation and pregnancy. Symptoms of early hemochromatosis may include:
-
fatigue
- weakness
- weight loss
- abdominal pain
- joint pain
As iron accumulation progresses, patients may have these symptoms:
-
arthritis
- amenorrhea
- early menopause
- loss of sex drive
- impotence (repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse)
- shortness of breath
Symptoms of advanced stages of hemochromatosis include:
-
arthritis
- liver disease, including an enlarged liver, cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure
- damage to the pancreas, possibly causing diabetes
- chronic (ongoing) abdominal pain
- severe fatigue
- weakening of the heart muscle
- problems with your heart rate or rhythms
- heart failure
- abnormal skin color, making it look gray or bronze
Although excess iron (iron overload) is a common problem, it's not always the result of hemochromatosis. Several factors, including frequent blood transfusions, high amounts of dietary iron and certain types of
anemia, can cause excess iron in your body. People with chronic liver disease may also have increased iron levels.
Hemochromatosis Symptoms to H
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