CHIP WADOWSKI
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AS I WAS WATCHING ESPN THIS MORNING THERE WAS AN INTERVIEW WITH A MAN PROBABLY IN HIS 70'S THAT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS IN DECENT HEALTH. FROM WHAT I GATHERED FROM THE INTERVIEW, THE MANS FATHER HAD DIED FROM HEMOCHROMATOSIS. THEN THE DOCTORS TOLD THE MAN THAT HE NEEDS TO GET TESTED FOR THE SAME DISEASE BECAUSE IT IS GENETIC. HE WAS TESTED, AND SURE ENOUGH, HAD THE SAME DISEASE. THE DOCTOR MARVELED AT HOW THE GUY WAS STILL ALIVE??? THE GUY TOLD THE DOC THAT HE HAD GIVEN BLOOD RELIGIOUSLY, EVERY 3 MONTHS, FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. THE DOC PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM THAT IF HE DIDN'T... HE WOULD HAVE DIED 30 YEARS AGO!
I DONT KNOW IF A LOT OF YOU GUYS REMEMBER OR NOT, BUT I STARTED A THREAD ON HERE A LONG TIME AGO ABOUT GIVING BLOOD EVERY 2-3 MONTHS TO HELP KEEP YOUR HEMATOCRIT LEVELS NORMAL. THEN A LOT OF YOU ALL JUMPED RIGHT ON IT AND STARTED GIVING BLOOD. WELL, KEEP IT UP, OR GET STARTED DOING IT, GUYS.... IT JUST MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Last reviewed: April 12, 2010.
Hemochromatosis is a disorder that results in too much iron being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hemochromatosis occurs when too much iron builds up in the body.
There are two forms of hemochromatosis: primary and secondary.
Primary hemochromatosis is usually caused by a specific genetic problem that causes too much iron to be absorbed. When people with this condition have too much iron in their diet, the extra iron is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and builds up in the body tissues, particularly the liver. The result is liver swelling. Primary hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 1 of every 200 to 300 Americans.
Secondary or acquired hemochromatosis can be caused by diseases such as thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia, especially if the person has received a large number of blood transfusions. Occasionally, it may be seen with hemolytic anemia, chronic alcoholism, and other conditions.
Hemochromatosis affects more men than women. It is particularly common in Caucasians of western European descent. Symptoms are often seen in men between the ages of 30 and 50 and in women over 50, although some people may develop problems by age 20. You have a higher risk of hemochromatosis if someone else in your family has or had the condition.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Generalized darkening of skin color (often referred to as bronzing)
Joint pain
Lack of energy
Loss of body hair
Loss of sexual desire
Weight loss
Weakness
Signs and tests
A physical examination shows liver and spleen swelling, and skin color changes.
Blood tests may help make the diagnosis. Tests may include:
Serum ferritin (high)
Serum iron (high)
Percentage of transferrin saturation (high)
Other tests may include:
Blood sugar (glucose) level
Alpha fetoprotein
Echocardiogram to examine the heart's function
Electrocardiogram (ECG) to look at the electrical activity of the heart
Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound
Liver function tests
The condition may be confirmed and treated with a liver biopsy or phlebotomy, a procedure that removes blood to lower the amount of iron in the body.
Recently, genetic defects have been found in many families with a history of hemochromatosis. Blood tests can be used to look for these genetic changes and confirm the diagnosis of hemochromatosis, as well as determine who may be at high risk of developing the disease.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body and treat any organ damage.
A procedure called phlebotomy is the best method for removing excess iron from the body. One-half liter of blood is removed from the body each week until the body iron level is normal. This may require many months or even years to accomplish. After that, less frequent phlebotomy is needed to maintain normal iron levels. How often you need this procedure depends on your symptoms and your levels of hemoglobin and serum ferritin, and how much iron you take in your diet.
Testosterone hormone therapy can help improve the loss of sexual desire and changes in secondary sexual characteristics. Diabetes, arthritis, liver failure, and heart failure should be treated as appropriate.
If you are diagnosed with hemochromatosis, you should follow a special diet to reduce how much iron is absorbed from your diet. The diet prohibits alcohol, especially for patients who have liver damage. You will also be told to avoid iron pills or vitamins containing iron, vitamin supplements, iron cookware, raw seafood (cooked is fine), or fortified processed foods such as 100% iron breakfast cereals.
Expectations (prognosis)
Over time, liver scarring and damage can occur. Extra iron may also build up in other body tissues such as the thyroid, testicles, pancreas, pituitary gland, heart, or joints. If treatment begins before any of these organs have been affected, diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes can usually be prevented.
How well a person does depends on the amount of organ damage. Some organ damage can be reversed when hemochromatosis is detected early and treated aggressively with phlebotomy.
Complications
Complications include:
Liver failure
Liver cancer
The disease may lead to the development of:
Arthritis
Diabetes
Heart problems
Increased risk for certain bacterial infections
Liver cirrhosis
Long-term abdominal pain
Testicular atrophy
Severe fatigue
Skin coloring changes
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hemochromatosis develop.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider (for screening) if a family member has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis.
Prevention
Screening family members of a person diagnosed with hemochromatosis may detect the disease early so that treatment can be started before organ damage has occurred in other affected relatives.
References
Bacon BR. Iron overload (hemochromatosis) In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 231.
Review Date: 4/12/2010.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Disclaimer
Copyright © 2011, A.D.A.M., Inc.
I DONT KNOW IF A LOT OF YOU GUYS REMEMBER OR NOT, BUT I STARTED A THREAD ON HERE A LONG TIME AGO ABOUT GIVING BLOOD EVERY 2-3 MONTHS TO HELP KEEP YOUR HEMATOCRIT LEVELS NORMAL. THEN A LOT OF YOU ALL JUMPED RIGHT ON IT AND STARTED GIVING BLOOD. WELL, KEEP IT UP, OR GET STARTED DOING IT, GUYS.... IT JUST MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Last reviewed: April 12, 2010.
Hemochromatosis is a disorder that results in too much iron being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hemochromatosis occurs when too much iron builds up in the body.
There are two forms of hemochromatosis: primary and secondary.
Primary hemochromatosis is usually caused by a specific genetic problem that causes too much iron to be absorbed. When people with this condition have too much iron in their diet, the extra iron is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and builds up in the body tissues, particularly the liver. The result is liver swelling. Primary hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 1 of every 200 to 300 Americans.
Secondary or acquired hemochromatosis can be caused by diseases such as thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia, especially if the person has received a large number of blood transfusions. Occasionally, it may be seen with hemolytic anemia, chronic alcoholism, and other conditions.
Hemochromatosis affects more men than women. It is particularly common in Caucasians of western European descent. Symptoms are often seen in men between the ages of 30 and 50 and in women over 50, although some people may develop problems by age 20. You have a higher risk of hemochromatosis if someone else in your family has or had the condition.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Generalized darkening of skin color (often referred to as bronzing)
Joint pain
Lack of energy
Loss of body hair
Loss of sexual desire
Weight loss
Weakness
Signs and tests
A physical examination shows liver and spleen swelling, and skin color changes.
Blood tests may help make the diagnosis. Tests may include:
Serum ferritin (high)
Serum iron (high)
Percentage of transferrin saturation (high)
Other tests may include:
Blood sugar (glucose) level
Alpha fetoprotein
Echocardiogram to examine the heart's function
Electrocardiogram (ECG) to look at the electrical activity of the heart
Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound
Liver function tests
The condition may be confirmed and treated with a liver biopsy or phlebotomy, a procedure that removes blood to lower the amount of iron in the body.
Recently, genetic defects have been found in many families with a history of hemochromatosis. Blood tests can be used to look for these genetic changes and confirm the diagnosis of hemochromatosis, as well as determine who may be at high risk of developing the disease.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body and treat any organ damage.
A procedure called phlebotomy is the best method for removing excess iron from the body. One-half liter of blood is removed from the body each week until the body iron level is normal. This may require many months or even years to accomplish. After that, less frequent phlebotomy is needed to maintain normal iron levels. How often you need this procedure depends on your symptoms and your levels of hemoglobin and serum ferritin, and how much iron you take in your diet.
Testosterone hormone therapy can help improve the loss of sexual desire and changes in secondary sexual characteristics. Diabetes, arthritis, liver failure, and heart failure should be treated as appropriate.
If you are diagnosed with hemochromatosis, you should follow a special diet to reduce how much iron is absorbed from your diet. The diet prohibits alcohol, especially for patients who have liver damage. You will also be told to avoid iron pills or vitamins containing iron, vitamin supplements, iron cookware, raw seafood (cooked is fine), or fortified processed foods such as 100% iron breakfast cereals.
Expectations (prognosis)
Over time, liver scarring and damage can occur. Extra iron may also build up in other body tissues such as the thyroid, testicles, pancreas, pituitary gland, heart, or joints. If treatment begins before any of these organs have been affected, diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes can usually be prevented.
How well a person does depends on the amount of organ damage. Some organ damage can be reversed when hemochromatosis is detected early and treated aggressively with phlebotomy.
Complications
Complications include:
Liver failure
Liver cancer
The disease may lead to the development of:
Arthritis
Diabetes
Heart problems
Increased risk for certain bacterial infections
Liver cirrhosis
Long-term abdominal pain
Testicular atrophy
Severe fatigue
Skin coloring changes
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hemochromatosis develop.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider (for screening) if a family member has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis.
Prevention
Screening family members of a person diagnosed with hemochromatosis may detect the disease early so that treatment can be started before organ damage has occurred in other affected relatives.
References
Bacon BR. Iron overload (hemochromatosis) In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 231.
Review Date: 4/12/2010.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Disclaimer
Copyright © 2011, A.D.A.M., Inc.
