Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition (passed on from your parents). It causes iron to build up in your body over many years.
The build-up is called iron overload. It can cause unpleasant symptoms. Without treatment haemochromatosis can damage your liver, joints, pancreas and heart.
Symptoms of haemochromatosis
Symptoms usually start between ages 30 and 60.
Common symptoms include:
- feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
- weight loss
- weakness
- joint pain
- problems getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- irregular periods
- missing periods
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if you have:
- long-lasting or worrying symptoms of haemochromatosis
- a parent or sibling with haemochromatosis, even if you do not have symptoms
Diagnosing haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis is usually diagnosed with blood tests.
If blood tests show a problem, your GP usually refers you to a hospital specialist.
You may need more tests to check if haemochromatosis caused any organ damage.
Causes of haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis is caused by a faulty gene that affects how your body absorbs iron from food.
You can get haemochromatosis if both your parents have the faulty gene and you inherit the gene from each parent.
You do not get haemochromatosis if you only inherit the faulty gene from 1 parent. But there's a chance you could pass the faulty gene to your children.
Even if you inherit 2 copies of the faulty gene, you may not get haemochromatosis. Only a few people with 2 copies of this faulty gene get haemochromatosis. The reason for this is not known.
Treatment for haemochromatosis
There is no cure for haemochromatosis.
But there are treatments that can:
- reduce the amount of iron in your body
- lower the risk of damage to your organs and joints
The most effective way to manage haemochromatosis is venesection (phlebotomy). This procedure removes some of your blood.
You do not need to make any big changes to your diet to control your iron levels if you have treatment.
Treatment for haemochromatosis
Complications of haemochromatosis
If haemochromatosis is not diagnosed and treated early, the iron buildup in your body can cause serious problems.
Complications include:
- liver problems - such as scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) or liver cancer
- diabetes
- arthritis
- heart failure
Complications of haemochromatosis
Support
If you have haemochromatosis, you can get support from the Irish Haemochromatosis Association.
