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Iron Overload: Treatment for common Genetic
Disorder
Newswise — Absorbing and storing too much iron can cause an
array of health problems -- for starters,
joint pain, fatigue, weakness and loss of
interest in sex. This condition, called
hemochromatosis, is the most common genetic
disorder in the United States, most
frequently occurring in people of Northern
European descent.
The October issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter
provides an overview of hemochromatosis,
including its genetic cause, subtle early
symptoms, potential health risks and
treatment.
When people have hemochromatosis, their bodies absorb and
store too much iron from their normal diet.
Over decades, the iron levels can build up
in various organs, most often the liver and
heart.
Without treatment, iron levels accumulate to 20 times that
of a person without the disorder. The result
can be irreversible scarring of the liver
(cirrhosis), liver cancer, diabetes, heart
failure, heart rhythm problems, arthritis,
impotence or darkening of the skin.
Because of routine blood tests and follow-up genetic
testing, nearly three-fourths of those with
hemochromatosis are diagnosed before
symptoms even begin. Usually, iron levels
can be returned to normal without lasting
health problems.
The most common treatment is as straightforward as the
process of donating blood. About 1 pint of
blood is removed from the patient every one
to two weeks until iron markers in the blood
reach normal levels. Once normal levels are
reached, which can take from several weeks
to a year or more, blood is drawn two to
four times a year.
When iron levels return to normal, patients see marked
improvements in weakness, fatigue, darkening
of the skin and possibly even early-stage
liver and heart disease. However, if
cirrhosis occurs, damage to the liver may be
permanent. The increased risk of liver
cancer associated with cirrhosis will
remain, too.
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