Iron Overload

Iron overload happens when the body absorbs too much iron over many years. Excess iron builds up in organs, like the heart and liver. Many problems can cause iron overload. It can happen from years of taking too much iron or from repeated blood transfusions. But the most common form of iron overload in the United States is an inherited condition (runs in families) called hereditary hemochromatosis (he-mo-kro-ma-toe-sis).

Signs of early hemochromatosis may include:

• fatigue
• weakness
• weight loss
• abdominal pain
• joint pain

As iron accumulation progresses, patients may have these symptoms:

• arthritis
• amenorrhea
• early menopause
• loss of sex drive
• impotence (repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse)
• shortness of breath

Signs of advanced stages of hemochromatosis include:

• arthritis
• liver disease, including an enlarged liver, cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure
• damage to the pancreas, possibly causing diabetes
• chronic (ongoing) abdominal pain
• severe fatigue
• weakening of the heart muscle
• problems with your heart rate or rhythms
• heart failure
• abnormal skin color, making it look gray or bronze

Treatment depends on how severe the iron overload is. The first step is to get rid of the extra iron in the body. The process is called phlebotomy (fle-bot-o-me), which means removing blood. It is simple and safe. A pint of blood will be taken once or twice a week for several months to a year, and sometimes longer. Once iron levels go back to normal, you will give a pint of blood every 2 to 4 months for life. Although treatment cannot cure the problems caused by hemochromatosis, it will help most of them. Arthritis is the only problem that does not improve after excess iron is removed.