Accessible Search Form           Advanced Search

  • PRINT PAGE  |  PRINT ENTIRE TOPIC  |  SHARE

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hemochromatosis?

Hemochromatosis can affect many parts of the body and cause various signs and symptoms. Many of the signs and symptoms are similar to those of other diseases.

Signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis usually don't occur until middle age. Women are more likely to have general symptoms first, such as fatigue (tiredness). In men, complications such as diabetes or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) often are the first signs of the disease.

Signs and symptoms also vary based on the severity of the disease. Common signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis include joint pain, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss, and stomach pain.

Not everyone who has hemochromatosis has signs or symptoms of the disease. Estimates of how many people develop signs and symptoms vary greatly. Some estimates suggest that as many as half of all people who have the disease don't have signs or symptoms.

Hemochromatosis Complications

If hemochromatosis isn't found and treated early, iron builds up in your body and can lead to:

  • Liver disease, including an enlarged liver, liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  • Heart problems, including arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and heart failure
  • Diabetes, especially in people who have a family history of diabetes
  • Joint damage and pain, including arthritis
  • Reproductive organ failure, such as erectile dysfunction (impotence), shrinkage of the testicles, and loss of sex drive in men, and absence of the menstrual cycle and early menopause in women
  • Changes in skin color that make the skin look gray or bronze
  • Underactive pituitary and thyroid glands
  • Damage to the adrenal glands
WAS THIS HELPFUL?

  
previous topic next topic

Hemochromatosis Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. To find clinical trials that are currently underway for Hemochromatosis, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

 
February 01, 2011 Last Updated Icon

The NHLBI updates Health Topics articles on a biennial cycle based on a thorough review of research findings and new literature. The articles also are updated as needed if important new research is published. The date on each Health Topics article reflects when the content was originally posted or last revised.
Twitter iconTwitter         Facebook iconFacebook         YouTube iconYouTube        Google+ iconGoogle+