Hemochromatosis, or Bronze Diabetes

What is it?

A genetic condition where your digestive system absorbs too much iron. The body does not have a way to excrete excess iron, so it stores it in glands, muscle, and organs. Over a period of time the involved organs have decreased function, because they are in effect, clogged with iron.

Organs Commonly Affected: 

Liver 

Heart

Pancreas

Population Affected: Males affected as often as women, however, men show clinical signs more often.

At what age does it start happening? It starts at birth, but symptoms usually show up at 50-60 years of age.

Symptoms: Percentage near each symptoms stands for the percentage of patients with hemochromatosis that experience that symptom.

1.   Weakness: 83%;  

2.    Arthritis (43%)

3. Enlarged Liver(83%), liver tenderness, jaundice-yellowing of the skin, and of the eyes.(10%)

4. Loss of libido, sex drive (38%)

5. Lack of menstrual period (22% of women)

6. Shortness of breath with activity(15%)

7. Neurologic symptoms(6%)

8. Abdominal Pain (58%)

9. Enlarged Spleen(13%)

10. Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity(6%)

11. Increased skin pigmentation (75%)

12. loss of body hair(20%)

13. Swelling in the hands and feet (12%)

14. Men may develop breasts(8%)

15. Men may lose some of the mass of their testicles

16. Diabetes

What Causes This Disease?  The cause of increased iron absorption in the face of excessive iron stores is unknown. The use of iron by the body is normal in this disease...there is just a higher level of circulation iron.

Factors That Increase Your Risk:

1. Intake of iron from vitamin suppplements. Look for Vitamin C content of vitamins as well. Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

2. Alcohol intake increases the absorption of iron (41% of patients with symptoms of hemochromatosis are alcoholic)

Treatment

1. Remove excess iron by phlebotomy once of twice per week to establish and maintain a lower blood count...decreasing the effects of elevated iron levels.

2. When a patient finally becomes iron deficient, a maintenance program of 4-6 phlebotomies per year will keep iron storage normal.

3. Iron poor diets don't benefit patients.

4. Avoid alcohol, iron fortified foods, iron-containing supplements, and uncooked shellfish

5. Restrict vitamin C to small doses only between meals.

6. Drinking tea with a meal can decrease your iron absorption.

The Role of Medications:

Medications are indicated only when phlebotomy cannot be performed or in the presence of severe heart disease. Deferoxamine binds iron, and decreases its absorption. It may be utilized in these cases.

  Associations to contact for more information: 

American Hemochromatosis Society, Inc., 777 East Atlantic Ave, Z-363, Delray Beach, FL 33483-5352

USEFUL LINKS:

http://my.webmd.com/content/asset/adam_disease_hemochromatosis

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