Hemochromatosis is a condition where the body absorbs too much iron, causing multiple organ failures and other medical problems. It can be genetic or caused by factors like alcoholism. Diagnosis is difficult due to various symptoms, but treatment involves periodic bloodletting to lower iron concentration. Early diagnosis is crucial for better prognosis. Hemochromatosis is common among Northern Europeans and may have been useful for malnourished early humans.
Hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs and retains too much iron. This can cause multiple organ failures, as various organs struggle to cope with the iron overload. It has also been linked to various organ cancers and other medical problems caused by not diagnosing hemochromatosis in a timely manner. Primary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder, while secondary hemochromatosis can be caused by a variety of factors including alcoholism. This condition can be difficult to diagnose, because it has a number of symptoms that can make identification difficult.
In small amounts, iron is an essential dietary nutrient and is a very important constituent of red blood cells. In a person with hemochromatosis, the body absorbs a large volume of iron and is unable to get rid of the excess. Iron builds up in various body tissues, causing a range of symptoms from dark skin to diabetes; darkened skin is such a common symptom that some people call hemochromatosis “tanning sickness.” The condition is also associated with liver and kidney failure, and symptoms can vary and flow, making hemochromatosis even more difficult to diagnose.
Diagnosis is usually made with a blood test that checks for elevated iron levels. Treatment involves periodic phlebotomy, or bloodletting, in which a pint of blood is removed to lower the iron concentration in the blood. Some doctors also use clues from other diagnostic tests such as medical imaging to discover a case of hemochromatosis. In people with a family history of the condition, a doctor may closely monitor a patient for early signs of hemochromatosis.
Left untreated, hemochromatosis can cause serious medical problems, as it damages organs in the body. The earlier a patient is diagnosed, the better the long-term prognosis will be, as the patient may receive regular phlebotomy to reduce the iron volume in the blood. Doctors can also make dietary recommendations aimed at reducing the amount of iron stored in the body, and patients are encouraged to avoid substances that are high in iron.
Hemochromatosis is among the most common genetic defects, especially among Northern Europeans. The condition may have been useful once upon a time, when humans had difficulty eating a balanced diet, as increased iron storage would have benefited malnourished early humans. Primary hemochromatosis is recessive, meaning someone must get the defective gene from both parents to develop hemochromatosis.
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