Hemochromatosis is also known as iron overload disorder.
Normally, the body should absorb only 10% of iron that it receives from food and supplemental sources.
If you have hemochromatosis, your body will be absorbing twice the amount of iron.
The excess iron will be deposited in major body organs, eventually reaching toxic levels.
Eventually, organ damage will result which can often be fatal.
The exact cause of hemochromatosis is unknown.
Countless research has been done with what are believed to be hemochromatosis causes.
There are two types of iron overload disorder, each having different hemochromatosis causes.
One type is primary hemochromatisis in which the cause is believed to be a mutated HFE gene.
HFE gene is responsible for controlling the amount of iron that the body should absorb.
C282Y and H63D are commonly mutated segments of the HFE gene.
If a pair of two C282Y is passed to a person, there is a 50% chance that he will develop hemochromatosis.
If a pair of C282Y and H63D is inherited, there is a lesser probability that the person will develop hemochromatosis.
There is still a debate on whether a pair of 2 H63D can cause hemochromatosis or not.
Secondary hemochromatosis is another type of the disorder.
Several hemochromatosis causes have been identified that results to the development of this disorder, but not a single one is conclusive.
Reason is, one can be exposed to a causative factor, but not get the disorder.
Others even develop secondary hemochromatosis without any history of exposure.
These causes are: - Presence of a blood disorder (i.
e thalassemia) - Chronic liver disease (i.
e.
hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis) - Exposure to blood transfusion - Consumption of iron container-brewed beer.
- Taking oral iron supplements or injections If you have experienced exposure to these hemochromatosis causes or if you have a family history of iron overload disorder, it is advised that you undergo hemochromatosis screening.
Screening can be very expensive, and only up to 86% accurate, so this is not usually recommended by doctors.
Treatments of hemochromatosis usually include therapeutic phlebotomy, intake of iron chelating agents, and diet modification to lessen the amount of iron in the body.
These treatments are carefully regimented and monitored by your doctor.
Never attempt to self-medicate to prevent complications due to improper treatment.
Normally, the body should absorb only 10% of iron that it receives from food and supplemental sources.
If you have hemochromatosis, your body will be absorbing twice the amount of iron.
The excess iron will be deposited in major body organs, eventually reaching toxic levels.
Eventually, organ damage will result which can often be fatal.
The exact cause of hemochromatosis is unknown.
Countless research has been done with what are believed to be hemochromatosis causes.
There are two types of iron overload disorder, each having different hemochromatosis causes.
One type is primary hemochromatisis in which the cause is believed to be a mutated HFE gene.
HFE gene is responsible for controlling the amount of iron that the body should absorb.
C282Y and H63D are commonly mutated segments of the HFE gene.
If a pair of two C282Y is passed to a person, there is a 50% chance that he will develop hemochromatosis.
If a pair of C282Y and H63D is inherited, there is a lesser probability that the person will develop hemochromatosis.
There is still a debate on whether a pair of 2 H63D can cause hemochromatosis or not.
Secondary hemochromatosis is another type of the disorder.
Several hemochromatosis causes have been identified that results to the development of this disorder, but not a single one is conclusive.
Reason is, one can be exposed to a causative factor, but not get the disorder.
Others even develop secondary hemochromatosis without any history of exposure.
These causes are: - Presence of a blood disorder (i.
e thalassemia) - Chronic liver disease (i.
e.
hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis) - Exposure to blood transfusion - Consumption of iron container-brewed beer.
- Taking oral iron supplements or injections If you have experienced exposure to these hemochromatosis causes or if you have a family history of iron overload disorder, it is advised that you undergo hemochromatosis screening.
Screening can be very expensive, and only up to 86% accurate, so this is not usually recommended by doctors.
Treatments of hemochromatosis usually include therapeutic phlebotomy, intake of iron chelating agents, and diet modification to lessen the amount of iron in the body.
These treatments are carefully regimented and monitored by your doctor.
Never attempt to self-medicate to prevent complications due to improper treatment.