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Hemochromatosis
Summary
Hemochromatosis is a disease in which too much iron builds up in your body. Your body needs iron but too much of it is toxic. If you have hemochromatosis, you absorb more iron than you need. Your body has no natural way to get rid of the extra iron. It stores it in body tissues, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas. The extra iron can damage your organs. Without treatment, it can cause your organs to fail.
There are two types of hemochromatosis. Primary hemochromatosis is an inherited disease. Secondary hemochromatosis is usually the result of something else, such as anemia, thalassemia, liver disease, or blood transfusions.
Many symptoms of hemochromatosis are similar to those of other diseases. Not everyone has symptoms. If you do, you may have joint pain, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss, and stomach pain.
Your doctor will diagnose hemochromatosis based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and the results from tests and procedures. Treatments include removing blood (and iron) from your body, medicines, and changes in your diet.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hemochromatosis National Institutes of Health
Patient Handouts
- Ferritin blood test Medical Encyclopedia
- Hemochromatosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Hemochromatosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Serum iron test Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- Ferritin Blood Test National Library of Medicine
- Iron Tests National Library of Medicine
- Liver Function Tests National Library of Medicine
Start Here
- Hemochromatosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Hemochromatosis American Liver Foundation
- Hereditary Hemochromatosis American Academy of Family Physicians
Children
- Hereditary Hemochromatosis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Genetics
- Hereditary hemochromatosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Hypochromic microcytic anemia with iron overload: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Learning about Hereditary Hemochromatosis National Human Genome Research Institute
Treatments and Therapies
- Iron Chelation Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation
Find an Expert
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- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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