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Hemochromatosis (he-moe-kroe-muh-TOE-sis) is a condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. Excess iron is stored in the organs, especially the liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
There are a few types of hemochromatosis, but the most common type is caused by a gene change passed down through families. Only a few people who have the genes ever develop serious problems. Symptoms usually appear in midlife.
Treatment includes regularly removing blood from the body. Because much of the body's iron is contained in red blood cells, this treatment lowers iron levels.
Some people with hemochromatosis never have symptoms. Early symptoms often overlap with those of other common conditions.
Symptoms may include:
The most common type of hemochromatosis is present at birth. But most people don't experience symptoms until later in life — usually after age 40 in men and after age 60 in women. Women are more likely to develop symptoms after menopause, when they no longer lose iron with menstruation and pregnancy.
See a healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms of hemochromatosis. If you have an immediate family member who has hemochromatosis, ask your healthcare team about genetic testing. Genetic testing can check if you have the gene that increases your risk of hemochromatosis.
Hemochromatosis is most often caused by a change in a gene. This gene controls the amount of iron the body absorbs from food. The altered gene is passed from parents to children. This type of hemochromatosis is by far the most common type. It's called hereditary hemochromatosis.
A gene called HFE is most often the cause of hereditary hemochromatosis. You inherit one HFE gene from each of your parents. The HFE gene has two common mutations, C282Y and H63D. Genetic testing can reveal whether you have these changes in your HFE gene.
Iron plays an important role in several body functions, including helping to produce blood. But too much iron is toxic.
A hormone secreted by the liver, called hepcidin, controls how iron is used and absorbed in the body. It also controls how excess iron is stored in various organs. In hemochromatosis, the role of hepcidin is affected, causing the body to absorb more iron than it needs.
This excess iron is stored in major organs, especially the liver. Over a period of years, the stored iron can cause severe damage that may lead to organ failure. It also can lead to long-lasting diseases, such as cirrhosis, diabetes and heart failure. Many people have gene changes that cause hemochromatosis. However, not everyone develops iron overload to a degree that causes tissue and organ damage.
Hereditary hemochromatosis isn't the only type of hemochromatosis. Other types include:
Factors that increase the risk of hemochromatosis include:
Untreated, hemochromatosis can lead to several complications. These complications especially affect the joints and organs where excess iron tends to be stored, such as the liver, pancreas and heart. Complications can include:
Hemochromatosis can be difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms such as stiff joints and fatigue may be due to conditions other than hemochromatosis.
Many people with the disease don't have any symptoms other than high levels of iron in their blood. Hemochromatosis may be identified because of irregular blood test results after testing is done for other reasons. It also may be revealed when screening family members of people diagnosed with the disease.
The two key tests to detect iron overload are:
These blood tests for iron are best performed after fasting. Elevations in one or all of these tests can be found in other disorders. You may need to have the tests repeated for the most accurate results.
A healthcare professional may suggest other tests to confirm the diagnosis and to look for other problems:
Genetic testing is recommended for all parents, siblings and children of anyone diagnosed with hemochromatosis. If a gene change is found in only one parent, then children do not need to be tested.
Medical professionals can treat hemochromatosis safely and effectively by removing blood from the body on a regular basis. This is similar to donating blood. The process is known as phlebotomy.
The goal of phlebotomy is to lower the iron levels. The amount of blood removed and how often it's removed depend on age, overall health and the severity of iron overload.
Treating hemochromatosis can help relieve symptoms of tiredness, stomach pain and skin darkening. It can help prevent serious complications such as liver disease, heart disease and diabetes. If you already have one of these conditions, phlebotomy may slow the progression of the disease. In some cases, it may even reverse it.
Phlebotomy can't reverse cirrhosis or joint pain, but it can slow the progression.
For someone with cirrhosis, a healthcare professional may recommend occasional screening for liver cancer. This usually involves an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan.
Phlebotomy may not be an option for someone who has certain conditions, such as anemia or heart complications. Instead, a healthcare professional may recommend a medicine to remove excess iron. The medicine can be injected into the body, or it can be taken as a pill. The medicine binds excess iron, allowing the body to expel iron through urine or stool in a process that's called chelation (KEE-lay-shun). Chelation is not commonly used in hemochromatosis.
In addition to therapeutic blood removal, making some lifestyle changes may further reduce the risk of complications from hemochromatosis, such as:
Additional dietary changes generally aren't required for people receiving blood removal treatment.
Make an appointment with someone on your primary healthcare team if you have any symptoms that worry you. You may be referred to a specialist in digestive diseases, called a gastroenterologist, or to another specialist, depending on your symptoms. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect.
Some basic questions to ask include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
Be ready to answer questions your care team may ask: