Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease in which there is too much iron that builds up in your body, this is referred to as an iron overload. Iron is an essential nutrient found in many foods but can be toxic to our bodies if we have to much. “Normally, humans absorb about 8-10% of the iron found in foods that they eat.” People with Hemochromatosis can absorb up to four times more iron than a normal human being. Since our bodies have no natural way to get rid of the extra iron, it gets stored in your body tissue including the liver, heart, pancreas and many other areas of our body can also be infected by this iron overload.
Hemochromatosis is hereditary and the most common genetic disease in the U.S. This genetic disease is passed on
There are many symptoms that show up when you have hemochromatosis such as chronic fatigue, weakness, weight loss and joint pain. These are the early symptoms and most common complaints people make or see with hemochromatosis. Since these symptoms are commonly seen in other diseases, the diagnosis is often delayed or it gets ignored by physicians or patients. More advanced symptoms that are seen in hemochromatosis is arthritis, liver problems, high blood sugar, and abdominal pain. You may also be feeling sever fatigue, having heart failure, or gray and bronze colored skin may occur. These symptoms usually begin in men in their late 20’s to early 30’s, and in women usually start about 10-15 years after they stop having a period due to menopause, birth control pills or hysterectomy.
To be diagnosed with hemochromatosis you have to go through two blood test. Theses test measure how much iron is in the body. People can have these test done in their doctor’s office. If hemochromatosis is found early it can help prevent serious disease and problems. However undiagnosed and untreated hemochromatosis can increases the risk for diseases and conditions such as “diabetes mellitus, irregular heart beat or heart attack, arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, gall bladder disease, depression, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, some