Hemochromatosis is one of the few genetic diseases for which a simple effective therapy exits. Hemochromatosis is treated by removing blood (phlebotomy) from the patient in order to lower the level of iron. There is an initial de-ironing phase, during which patients have frequent phlebotomy to remove the accumulated iron.

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Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that is the result of inheriting two defective copies of a particular gene, one from each parent. The mutation in this gene causes the intestine to absorb too much iron. Over time, usually several years, this excess iron is deposited in the cells of the liver, heart, pancreas, joints, and pituitary gland. If left untreated, organ damage can result.

A simple blood test is used to diagnose people with iron overload. The test typically used for this purpose is transferrin saturation. If the initial test comes back elevated (>45%), then a repeat test is conducted after an overnight fast. If both tests are elevated, further tests are conducted to determine if iron overload is present. For more details, refer to the recommendations in the Annals of Internal Medicine Supplement, 1 December 1998, page 955.

It is estimated that 1 in every 200 - 500 people in the United States has hereditary hemochromatosis… about 1 million people. Whites of northern European descent are at highest likelihood of being affected and men are more commonly affected than women, who may be protected by iron loss through menstruation and pregnancy.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC), or iron overload, is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb two to three times the normal amount of iron. Over the years, the excess iron builds up in the vital organs, joints and tissues where it can cause a number of debilitating and potentially fatal conditions such as liver and heart disease, diabetes, impotence and arthritis.

In early stages of hemochromatosis, symptoms are non-specific and mimic a variety of other disease symptoms. Symptoms can include fatigue, palpitations, joint pain, non-specific stomach pain, and impotence, as well as loss of menstruation and infertility. Abnormalities of liver function tests can also occur in the absence of symptoms.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited condition. It occurs when a person inherits two copies of a mutation, one from each parent. People with one copy of this mutation are carriers for the condition and usually have little or no excess accumulation of iron. It is estimated that 10% of the population are carriers for hemochromatosis. However, not all people with two genetic mutations develop signs and symptoms of the disorder during their lifetimes.

If there is no evidence of liver damage, you can drink alcohol moderation. Alcohol increases the absorption of iron and excessive amounts can damage the liver and cause some forms of anemia.

No; you just need to cut back on red meat while you are in the first phases of phlebotomy and trying to lower iron levels. Red meat such as beef, lamb and venison contain high amounts of heme iron, which is the type of iron most easily absorbed by the body. Chicken, fish and pork have less heme iron.

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The bronzing pigmentation associated with the later stage of hemochromatosis is the only unique sign of the disorder but not every affected individual develops this complication. Unfortunately, there is no sign or symptom or constellation of signs and and symptoms specific for hemochromatosis. Because hemochromatosis symptoms mimic a variety of other diseases, the diagnosis of hemochromatosis can be missed unless specific tests (serum iron measures) are conducted.

The symptoms/complications of hemochromatosis typically occur in middle-age, but can occur earlier in some people. The disease progression appears to vary in each individual. It is possible that a substantial proportion of people with hemochromatosis remain healthy without treatment for many years, while a smaller proportion of people progress more rapidly through the course of their disease and they develop life-threatening complications early.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that blood from therapeutic phlebotomies for persons with iron overload could be used for transfusion if certain criteria are met: 1) the blood collection center may not charge for the therapeutic phlebotomy and 2) the blood center must apply to FDA for exemption from existing regulations. As part of that exemption, the blood center must collect and submit specified data to the FDA.

Hemochromatosis patients do not need to avoid iron containing foods. It is strongly recommended that hemochromatosis patients NOT take vitamin-mineral dietary supplements that contain iron. Similarly, no more than 500mg of vitamin C should be consumed because Vitamin C increases iron uptake. Such patients should avoid anything else that has the potential to cause liver damage, such as alcohol consumption---more than mild alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Liver biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure; it remains one of the best ways to determine liver damage, such as cirrhosis. This procedure; however, is no longer used to diagnose classic hemochromatosis. Liver biopsy is used to diagnose or document iron levels in non-classical hemochromatosis.

No. The iron in spinach is not easily absorbed, if at all. Spinach contains chlorophyll, which provides antioxidants that combat free radical activity. People with high iron levels are at increased risk for free radical damage to organs.

Limit your alcohol intake. If you choose to drink alcohol, drink very little. Women should have no more than one drink a day. Men should have no more than two a day. But if you have liver damage, do NOT drink any alcohol. Don't take iron pills. Don't take iron pills, supplements, or multivitamin supplements that have iron in them. But eating foods that contain iron is fine. Watch your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C increases the amount of iron your body absorbs.

The early symptoms are somewhat vague, making it easy to mistake hemochromatosis for another condition. Early symptoms of hemochromatosis include:

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. If the doctor suspects hemochromatosis, you will have blood tests to measure how much iron is in your body. Your doctor will look at test results of your iron, transferrin, and ferritin levels. If you have low levels of transferrin or high levels of ferritin, you have too much iron in your body. Many people with inherited hemochromatosis have defects in a gene named HFE.

Doctors treat hemochromatosis by getting rid of the extra iron in your body. This is done through regular, intentional blood loss (phlebotomy). Another option is to use medications called chelating agents that gather up excess iron and remove it through the urine. If hemochromatosis is treated early, most people avoid serious health problems and have a normal life expectancy.2

You cannot prevent inherited cases of hemochromatosis. However, you can prevent serious organ damage from hemochromatosis if the disorder is found and treated early by decreasing the iron levels in your body. You can help prevent acquired hemochromatosis by knowing how much iron you are consuming in vitamins, supplements, and the foods you eat. Developing hemochromatosis by eating too much iron in your food is rare.

in 250 - 300 Canadians is at risk of developing the full blown disease and between 1 in 7 and 1 in 9 individuals is a carrier.

Yes. A simple blood test can detect iron overload, but it is NOT part of the standard blood test ordered in conjunction with an annual check-up. Your doctor must specifically request an iron series profile on the lab requisition form. It measures the amount of iron in the various iron storage and transport proteins in your blood to give a picture of how much iron is stored in your body. This is NOT the same as hemoglobin.

Depending on your risk level and amount of bone loss, there are several treatments you and your health care professional can discuss. The proper diet plays a major role. You should eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and other minerals, and take a vitamin/mineral supplement if necessary. You should also restrict your consumption of carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, sugar and salt to reduce calcium excretion. Weight-bearing exercise also impacts bone loss.

Borates are use as wood preservatives. According to "Borates as Wood Preservatives" by Mark J. Manning and Len T. Arthur (a publication circulated by a major borate manufacturer), "To obtain the required core retention, typically a six week diffusion period was needed for a 50mm... thick timber... Boron compounds in current use as wood preservatives are susceptible to leaching under certain conditions as they are not chemically fixed within the wood..