What is Hemochromatosis |
Hereditary hemochromatosis, sometimes called Iron Overload Disease is a genetic, metabolic disorder that results in the body absorbing and retaining too much dietary and supplemental iron. The disorder can affect many systems and organs including the liver, pancreas, heart, endocrine glands and joints. It is potentially fatal if left alone, but easily treated if diagnosed before the excess of iron causes irreversible damage. A normal diet provides between 10-20 mg of iron daily, of which the body absorbs only 1.0 to 1.5 mg, with the excess being excreted. Once iron is absorbed into the body, it is difficult to eliminate, and can only be lost in small amounts through blood loss, sweat, urine and the sloughing of skin and gut cells. Therefore, our body maintains a strict regulation of iron absorption. With hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC), the feedback signal within this complex system is not working properly. The gut continues to absorb iron despite the body already being overloaded with it. The iron gets deposited in organs and tissues where it causes damage from free radical activity leading to organ dysfunction, disease and death. The liver and heart are normally the first ones that are affected, but the pancreas, endocrine glands, testes, ovaries, joints, and skin can also be affected. Excess iron accumulation in HHC is chronic and an ongoing problem. A normal body contains about 4 grams (4,000 mg) of iron, a hemochromatosis patient typically has at least 15-60 grams of iron upon diagnosis. Due to more diligent doctors and awareness, more people are being diagnosed earlier, before serious damage has occurred. It takes time for iron overload to reach a level that will cause organ damage and failure. Men typically develop the disease
and exhibit symptoms, (if any) between 40 and 60 years of age, and with women, it's typically after menopause. |