Haemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis occurs when the body absorbs too much iron from foods (and other sources such as vitamins containing iron). This disease causes extra iron to gradually build up in the body’s tissues and organs, a term called iron overload. Your body has no natural way to get rid of the extra iron. It stores it in body tissues, especially the liver, heart and pancreas. If this iron buildup is untreated, it can, over many years, damage the body’s organs.
Secondary hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other disorders. Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30. The neonatal form causes rapid iron buildup in a baby’s liver that can lead to death.
- Links
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron overload
- Relevant Occupations
- Haematologist
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