Iron Overload Disease

How To Treat Iron Overload Disease?

About

Iron overload, also known as hemochromatosis, is a condition in which too much iron is found in a person’s body.

White people of northern European descent are more likely to get hereditary hemochromatosis. [1]

● Not self-diagnosable
● Requires blood, lab, and image tests for diagnosis
● Can happen to both men and women

Iron overload, also known as hemochromatosis, is a disorder where too much iron builds up in a person’s body. It results in the body storing the excess amount of iron in the joints and organs like liver, heart, and pancreas, ultimately leading to their damage. There are two types of this condition -- primary hemochromatosis (heredity, meaning that runs in the family) and secondary hemochromatosis (happens because of certain diseases).

Age Affected: Can affect people of any age.

Symptoms

In men, the symptoms tend to show between the age of 30 and 50. In women, the symptoms show they are over 50 or past menopause. However, common symptoms include:

● Unexplained weight loss and feeling tired
● Pain in joints especially knuckles
● Loss of body hair, and sex drive
● Pain in the belly, heart flutter, and foggy memory
● Skin that has bronze or grey color

Treatment

Self-Care: You can reduce the risk of hemochromatosis by avoiding intaking of iron supplements and multivitamins, and also by avoiding alcohol and vitamin C supplements.
Medications: Your doctor may prescribe you some medicines to treat symptoms of tiredness, abdominal pain, and skin darkening.
Blood Removal: Doctors can treat hereditary hemochromatosis safely and effectively by removing blood from your body (phlebotomy) on a regular basis, just as if you were donating blood.
Specialists: At mfine, you can connect with a doctor who would guide you better about this disease.