Treatment usually involves removing blood (phlebotomy), which prevents additional organ damage but does not reverse existing damage.[2][4]
The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) provides the following list of features that have been reported in people with this condition. Much of the information in the HPO comes from Orphanet, a European rare disease database. If available, the list includes a rough estimate of how common a feature is (its frequency). Frequencies are based on a specific study and may not be representative of all studies. You can use the MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary for definitions of the terms below.
| Signs and Symptoms | Approximate number of patients (when available) |
| Abnormal glucose tolerance | - |
| Alopecia | - |
| Amenorrhea | - |
| Arrhythmia | - |
| Arthropathy | - |
| Ascites | - |
| Autosomal recessive inheritance | - |
| Azoospermia | - |
| Cardiomegaly | - |
| Cardiomyopathy | - |
| Cirrhosis | - |
| Congestive heart failure | - |
| Diabetes mellitus | - |
| Elevated hepatic transaminases | - |
| Hepatocellular carcinoma | - |
| Hepatomegaly | - |
| Hyperpigmentation of the skin | - |
| Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism | - |
| Impotence | - |
| Increased serum ferritin | - |
| Increased serum iron | - |
| Osteoporosis | - |
| Pleural effusion | - |
| Splenomegaly | - |
| Telangiectasia | - |
| Testicular atrophy | - |
These genes give the body instructions to make proteins that help regulate how iron is absorbed, transported, and stored. Mutations in these genes impair how iron is absorbed during digestion and alter the distribution of iron throughout the body. This causes iron to accumulate in tissues and organs.[3]
Acquired hemochromatosis (or secondary hemochromatosis) is usually due to other blood-related disorders, such as thalassemia or certain anemias, or having many blood transfusions. Sometimes it occurs as a result of long-term alcoholism or other health conditions.[5]
The resources below provide information about treatment options for this condition. If you have questions about which treatment is right for you, talk to your healthcare professional.
Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.
Nonprofit support and advocacy groups bring together patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers. These groups often raise awareness, provide support, and develop patient-centered information. Many are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct people to research, resources, and services. Many groups also have experts who serve as medical advisors. Visit their website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.
Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.
These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.
The following diseases are related to Hemochromatosis. If you have a question about any of these diseases, you can contact GARD.
Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question
Do both parents have to carry the gene in order for a child to get hemochromatosis? See answer
Is it safe for people with hemochromatosis to run a marathon? See answer
Is moderate alcohol consumption harmful for individuals with hemochromatosis? What might cause ferritin levels to increase despite a low-iron diet? See answer
