Iron overload (hemochromatosis)
A condition of excess iron that can lead to liver cirrhosis, diabetes, and heart failure. Usually a hereditary condition of excessive absorption of iron, it can also be caused by repeated blood transfusions.
Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this
39 year experience in Internal Medicine
Is a type of:
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Baby 0-2 | Very common | ||||
Preteen 6-13 | Very common | ||||
Teenager 14-18 | Very common | ||||
Young adult 19-40 | Very common |
Symptoms
Medications
Procedures
Surgery
Other treatments
Tests
Related questions
A 21-year old asked:
What is iron overload, hemochromatosis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
How common is iron overload/hemochromatosis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
How serious is iron overload, hemochromatosis?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
Who is affected by iron overload/hemochromatosis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
What are the symptoms of iron overload, hemochromatosis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
How is a diagnosis for iron overload/hemochromatosis confirmed?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
What iron levels are considered "suspicious" for iron overload/hemochromatosis?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old male asked:
I'm 25&Male, Rbc=5.9(H),hb=15.5,mch=26.3(L) Mpv=13.7(H),hct =47%, iron=80,Tibc=260,ferritin=250.4(ref:20-250),have i a iron overload?(hemochromatosis)
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
How can I know if I have iron overload/hemochromatosis? What tests should be performed? I hear that there is a DNA genetic test kit for hemochromatosis, is that true?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
Does hemochromatosis ever cause compensatory hyperventilation? Does this signal that heart damage from iron overload is already done?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
Isn't the diagnosis for hemochromatosis based on irish hemochromatosis? Other races like far east have different gene for iron overload
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
If I have the double gene mutation (homozygous) for hemochromatosis but am not clinically iron overloaded (have high iron levels on lab results) at this time, can I develop iron overload later, such as in 2, 5, or 10 or more years later?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old female asked:
I have been diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. I have had 8 phlebotomies and my iron level is still raising. Why?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
I have hemochromatosis but my iron levels are Ferritin 8 Iron 7 Transferrin 2.1 Transferrin Sat 13?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
Every time my son donates blood they tell him his iron is too high . This time it was 51. My uncle has hemochromatosis , should I be concerned .
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old male asked:
Iron serum was 167 (high), UBIC was 109 (low), & Iron Saturation was 61% (high)... Is this hemochromatosis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 30-year old male asked:
I have been doing phlebotomy for hemochromatosis. i got my ferritin down to 50 then it went back up to 300! why?! do not drink low iron diet
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old female asked:
Checked iron levels one doc said he thought saturation was on higher side (45%) an mentioned hemochromatosis but another doc said it was ok. Thoughts?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old male asked:
Hi.I have been diagnosed with high iron level (244)and high saturation (79%)but normal ferritin (137)and no hereditary hemochromatosis. What do I have?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 54-year old female asked:
I have Hereditary Hemochromatosis. The nurse draws my iron labs, right after she removes a pint of blood. Shouldnt they be drawn before blood removal? Wouldnt my labs be lower after a pint is removed? Im worried Im not getting accurate labs?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 17-year old male asked:
I have high iron levels (not hemochromatosis), can I take spirulina supplement? as it says it has 30x the iron of spinach.
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
Is it true that hemochromatosis patients have eyebrows that look empty towards the ends? (source: iron disorders institute)
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old male asked:
My serum iron was elevated at 241, however my ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin count were in the normal reference ranges. Is this hemochromatosis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old female asked:
After phlebotomies for hereditary hemochromatosis ferritin is 3, sat is 14%, but iron 40 - is this id anemia?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old male asked:
Total iron binding capacity is high. Transferrin is high.Iron serum normal. Hemoglobin count low 12 any significance.Is it hemochromatosis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old female asked:
If a person eats meat every day, about 8-10 oz of steak, but takes no iron supplements, could he end up with hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis?
4 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old female asked:
Hemochromatosis is always hereditary or congenital? I have cirrhosis in the liver and moderate iron accumulation, which one caused the other one?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old male asked:
I have hemochromatosis h63d, ferritin levels474 all iron teats show normal. Can i still take my buffer vit. C?Also aat level is at 70 any suggestions?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old male asked:
Edited. Are there any supplements or foods that help with Hemochromatosis and lowering iron levels. Is regular blood donation the best way to tackle it?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old male asked:
Should people with hemochromatosis avoid alcohol? I hear that alcohol can increase iron absorption.
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
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