A common disease which is under-diagnosed
The genetic defect that causes hereditary hemochromatosis is present at birth. However, the symptoms do not appear until later in life. This is because iron buildup occurs slowly throughout a person’s life. Symptoms usually begin in men in their late 30’s to 50’s. In women, symptoms usually start 10 to 15 years after menopause, when they no longer lose iron with menstruation.
Early Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
Early signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis are similar to those of many other common conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms vary between different people and some people with hemochromatosis do not have any early symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- Joint pain, usually in the hands, hips, knees and/or ankles (this is one of the first and most common complaints of people with hemochromatosis)
- Chronic fatigue (this is one of the first most common complaints of people with hemochromatosis)
- Lack of energy
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of sex drive (libido), impotence
- Heart problems (heart flutters, irregular heart beat)
- Generalized darkening of skin color (bronzing)
- Lack of normal menstruation (amenorrhea), premature menopause
- High blood sugar levels
- Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
- Abnormal liver function test
- Shortness of breath
Advanced-Stage Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
If hemochromatosis is not detected early and treated, iron will continue to accumulate in the organs and eventually lead to serious conditions such as:
- Arthritis (osteoarthrithis, osteoporosis) knuckles, ankles and hips
- Liver disease, including an enlarged liver, cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure
- Diabetes, high blood sugar
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, heart attack or congestive heart failure)
- Loss of period or early menopause
- Abnormal pigmentation of the skin, making it look gray or bronze
- Thyroid deficiency, hypothyroidism (which can cause depression)
- Damage to the adrenal glands
Hemochromatosis is Under-Diagnosed
Although hemochromatosis is common, the disease is often under-diagnosed for several reasons:
1. Physicians often overlook hemochromatosis as they concentrate on treating the conditions caused by hemochromatosis (arthritis, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes), rather than looking for the root cause of the disease.
2. Hemochromatosis has a wide range of possible symptoms, making the disease very difficult to diagnose symptomatically.
3. The early symptoms of hemochromatosis are vague and mimic the symptoms of many other diseases, so physicians do not think to test for it. As a result, the disease is often not diagnosed and treated in the early stages before organ damage has occurred.
4. The later stage symptoms of hemochromatosis do not occur until midlife, so detection and treatment often does not happen until it is too late.
5. There are no “textbook” symptoms of hemochromatosis.
If hemochromatosis is discovered early and treated before organ damage has occurred, a person can live a normal, healthy life.