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Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis: Signs and Symptoms |
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Hemochromatosis can have a variety of symptoms and symptoms may be
different for men and women. Hemochromatosis can be hard to identify
because early symptoms are similar to those of many other common
diseases.
Although most people reach middle-age before they have symptoms of
hemochromatosis, some people may have symptoms at a younger age. The
symptoms depend on which organs are being affected by the iron buildup.
Early Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
Early indications of hemochromatosis are often like those of other
diseases and include the following symptoms:
- Fatigue (feeling very tired)
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
As iron builds up in the body organs, hemochromatosis may also produce the
following symptoms:
- Loss of menstrual periods or early menopause
- Loss of sex drive (libido) or impotence
- Loss of body hair
- Shortness of breath
Although not a physical symptom, another possible indication of
hemochromatosis is having an elevated liver enzyme test.
Advanced Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
As the disease progresses, hemochromatosis may cause the following more
serious problems:
- Arthritis
- Liver problems, such as cirrhosis (or scarring of the liver) and liver
cancer
- High blood sugar and diabetes
- Abdominal pain that does not go away
- Severe fatigue (feeling extremely tired and having a lack of energy)
- Heart problems (such as a heart beat that is not regular)
- Heart failure (such as the heart not pumping blood as well as it did
previously)
- Gray-colored or bronze-colored skin
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| Early symptoms of hemochromatosis, such as feeling very tired, pain in the
joints, weakness, weight loss, and abdominal pain, are like the symptoms
of other diseases, but may indicate the presence of iron buildup and
hemochromatosis. Elevated liver enzyme tests may also indicate the
presence of iron buildup and hemochromatosis. |
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