Hammerling-Hodgers: Hemochromatosis can damage organs and shorten life span. Know the signs

Susan Hammerling-Hodgers
·3 min read
Hemochromatosis is a disorder where too much iron builds up in your body. Sometimes it's called “iron overload.”
Hemochromatosis is a disorder where too much iron builds up in your body. Sometimes it's called “iron overload.”

Janice, 57, a Caucasian female went to her primary care physician because she was feeling tired all the time and her body was constantly aching and in pain.

Her physician noticed Janice had developed a bronze coloration on her skin, which was different from her visit a few months ago. The physician asked Janice if she recently went tanning at the beach and she said no.

After a referral to the dermatologist for evaluation of the new and abnormal bronze coloring of her skin, Janice was diagnosed with hemochromatosis.

The month of July is Hemochromatosis Awareness Month and it is important to learn about this condition, which can present with non-specific symptoms.

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Typically, iron is considered an essential element because it helps carry oxygen to different parts of the body. Some foods that contain iron include red meat, pork, poultry and spinach.

However, hemochromatosis may cause the body to absorb too much iron from food or supplements. The extra buildup of iron can be dangerous and damage the tissues or organs in the body.

Hemochromatosis can either be an inherited disorder or from a disorder such as anemia or alcoholism. The most common form of hemochromatosis in adults living in the United States is hereditary hemochromatosis, which affects almost a million people.

Also, northern Europeans have an increased chance of developing hemochromatosis.

Surprisingly, many people may not even know they have hemochromatosis, which can be easily diagnosed by a blood test that measures how much iron is in the body.

A blood test that evaluates factors in the blood such as serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin and transferrin can help establish a diagnosis of hemochromatosis.

Phlebotomy is the main treatment for hemochromatosis and treatments can vary for as little as a few weeks to several years. Weekly or monthly treatment sessions are performed depending on when the iron levels return to normal.

When diagnosed with hemochromatosis it is important to avoid iron supplements and intake of vitamin C, red meat, raw shellfish and alcohol so excess iron storage does not occur.

A person can live a normal life if diagnosed early with hemochromatosis. If not diagnosed early then the organs and tissues can be damaged.

The only way the body can naturally reduce iron levels is by menstruating. This is an example why it is important to have iron levels monitored by lab work.

In conclusion, hemochromatosis is a condition where the body absorbs too much iron from either food or supplements.

This can lead to significant health issues as a result of damage to the organs and surrounding tissues.

In various populations, hemochromatosis can be seen but is most common in those with Northern European ancestry.

Make sure not only to be aware of your family history but your iron levels.

Signs and symptoms in patients can vary from zero symptoms to more non-specific symptoms like fatigue, achy joints, pain, bronzing of the skin, frequent colds or infections, itching of the skin, rashes on the skin, hair loss, memory loss or arrythmias of the heart.

A frustrating fact is that many health care providers may fail to establish the correct diagnosis because different patients can present with the same diagnosis of hemochromatosis with various symptoms. Life expectancy can be shortened if the hemochromatosis is not diagnosed early.

Don’t try to make excuses for non-specific symptoms that are not ordinary for you.

Making excuses and not addressing the signs and symptoms can affect the prognosis of your condition and limit treatment options.

Follow up with your health care provider and voice your concerns about your health. If you don’t advocate for yourself, then who will?

Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, a Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is a PA-C (Certified Physician Assistant) and MPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) and works at Brevard Skin and Cancer at the Merritt Island, Titusville and Rockledge offices.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Aching body, bronzing skin could be signs of hemochromatosis