What is iron overload, hemochromatosis?

Too much bodily iron: As a result of the inability to increase iron loss, iron overload is an inevitable response to increased iron entry into the body. This can occur by one of three mechanisms - nutritional intake, increased absorption, parenteral sources (i.e. Transfusions). Hemochromatosis is abnormally high absorption of iron as result of a genetic defect. Extra iron can be toxic.

Iron overload: Iron overload are the diseases that cause excess accumulation of iron on various organs and in the long run cause serious damage to those organs. The most common organ involved is the liver. There are inherited diseases, which cause excess iron in the liver mostly, and less commonly in other organs, such as heart, pancreas, skin etc. There are diseases, which called secondary hemochromatosis.