Hemochromatosis is a condition where the body absorbs up to three times the normal amount of iron. Over an extended [...] No related posts.]]> A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine says that more than 25% of men with hemochromatosis, the most common inherited blood disorder, will develop arthritis, liver cancer and other serious complications.

Hemochromatosis is a condition where the body absorbs up to three times the normal amount of iron. Over an extended period of time, this causes an excess of iron to build up in the vital organs, joints and tissues. This can lead to a number of debilitating and potentially fatal conditions, including liver and heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Because the early symptoms of the disease, which include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain and joint pain, are often attributed to other conditions, hemochromatosis can be difficult to diagnose.

In order for the disease to be inherited, a person needs to have received the defective gene from both parents.

The study included 1,438 randomly selected, healthy adults that were followed for 12 years. Of those participants, 95 men and 105 women had inherited the defective gene from both parents. This made them susceptible to absorbing too much iron from their normal diet.

Of the 95 men, nearly 30% exhibited excessive iron in their tissues and organs. Only 1.2% of the women exhibited the excessive level of iron. The researchers surmised that women were less affected as a result of the blood (and iron) lost during menstruation and pregnancy.

It is estimated that 1 in 300-400 people is affected by the disease. It is most common in Northern Europeans, especially people of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English decent.

The most common treatment is by removal of blood comparable in volume to a blood donation. Also, limiting intake of alcohol, vitamin C (increase iron absorption in the gut), red meat (high iron content), while increasing intake of iron absorption inhibitors such as high-tannin tea and calcium.
The study, conducted by more than a dozen researchers in Australia and the U.S., was published in the January 17th issue of the NEJM.

Originally posted 2008-01-29 19:58:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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