What is Hemochromatosis?
Iron is a very important mineral in the body.
It works in conjunction with hemoglobin to maintain the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
About 10% of iron found in food sources is absorbed by the body.
Any excess is automatically flushed out of the system for the body knows how to regulate itself.
With hereditary hemochromatosis, twice as much iron is absorbed and retained in the body.
Even those who are not taking in iron supplements will experience in later years the effects of accumulated iron.
The problem with hereditary hemochromatosis lies in the genes.
The defective gene is called HFE, and is passed on from one generation to another.
If both parents have the defective gene, there is a 50% chance that the offspring will experience the condition.
If only one parent has the gene, the probability is not that high.
Symptoms often depend on the type of organ it affects.
Iron accumulation can happen anywhere in the body, most commonly in the heart, liver, and pancreas.
Symptoms often include: - Arrhythmias or irregular heart beat - Cirrhosis of the liver - Hepatomegaly or liver enlargement - Diabetes - Premature menopause - Impotency - Chronic fatigue - Memory problems - Confusion - Disorientation - Decreased resistance against infection The treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis usually has 2 areas of concern.
The first area is addressing any complications that may have occurred due to years of non-treatment such as diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.
The second area is the condition itself.
Phlebotomy is done in regular intervals to help reduce the level of iron in the blood.
The process is similar to that of giving blood, with as much as 500ml is extracted.
It usually takes 2-3 years of periodic therapeutic phlebotomy to help reach the normal iron levels in the body.
If this is not an option, iron chelation therapy is done.
Drugs that are made to lower down iron levels in the body by limiting its absorption as well as aid in its elimination are given.
To further help the therapy, it is important that consumption of iron-rich foods is limited.
These include red meats, organ meats, green-leafy vegetables, as well as supplements that contain iron.
Intake of Vitamin C is also limited as it aids in the absorption of iron.
Your doctor may also recommend you to other specialists to help you cope with other conditions brought about by hemochromatosis.
It works in conjunction with hemoglobin to maintain the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
About 10% of iron found in food sources is absorbed by the body.
Any excess is automatically flushed out of the system for the body knows how to regulate itself.
With hereditary hemochromatosis, twice as much iron is absorbed and retained in the body.
Even those who are not taking in iron supplements will experience in later years the effects of accumulated iron.
The problem with hereditary hemochromatosis lies in the genes.
The defective gene is called HFE, and is passed on from one generation to another.
If both parents have the defective gene, there is a 50% chance that the offspring will experience the condition.
If only one parent has the gene, the probability is not that high.
Symptoms often depend on the type of organ it affects.
Iron accumulation can happen anywhere in the body, most commonly in the heart, liver, and pancreas.
Symptoms often include: - Arrhythmias or irregular heart beat - Cirrhosis of the liver - Hepatomegaly or liver enlargement - Diabetes - Premature menopause - Impotency - Chronic fatigue - Memory problems - Confusion - Disorientation - Decreased resistance against infection The treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis usually has 2 areas of concern.
The first area is addressing any complications that may have occurred due to years of non-treatment such as diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.
The second area is the condition itself.
Phlebotomy is done in regular intervals to help reduce the level of iron in the blood.
The process is similar to that of giving blood, with as much as 500ml is extracted.
It usually takes 2-3 years of periodic therapeutic phlebotomy to help reach the normal iron levels in the body.
If this is not an option, iron chelation therapy is done.
Drugs that are made to lower down iron levels in the body by limiting its absorption as well as aid in its elimination are given.
To further help the therapy, it is important that consumption of iron-rich foods is limited.
These include red meats, organ meats, green-leafy vegetables, as well as supplements that contain iron.
Intake of Vitamin C is also limited as it aids in the absorption of iron.
Your doctor may also recommend you to other specialists to help you cope with other conditions brought about by hemochromatosis.