Serious Symptoms Of Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a disease involving a buildup of iron in the blood, too much of which can be toxic and lead to serious health complications. The disease is usually caused by an inherited genetic abnormality. The gene mutation is recessive, which means in order for a baby to be born with hemochromatosis, their parents must both have at least one faulty gene. Hemochromatosis can also be caused by other illnesses like liver disease, anemia, and thalassemia. The disease is often treatable, but if it is left untreated, it can lead to severe and life-threatening symptoms.

Fatigue and Weakness

Hemochromatosis can cause problems with the functioning of various endocrine glands. These organs include the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Hemochromatosis can cause hypothyroidism, which can cause extreme fatigue and weight gain. It can also cause the pituitary and adrenal glands to stop functioning correctly, leading to tiredness and overall weakness.

Fatigue and weakness often also continue as symptoms during the treatment of hemochromatosis, particularly through a process called phlebotomy, where blood is drawn regularly to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. Unfortunately, many hemochromatosis patients have adverse reactions to losing blood, including extreme fatigue and weakness.

Heart Failure

Hemochromatosis, when left untreated, can lead to a host of heart problems, including congestive heart failure. These heart problems happen because the disease causes excessive amounts of iron to build up inside the heart, preventing the heart from pumping blood around the body effectively. Arrhythmias happen when the heart beats irregularly. Heart failure means the heart cannot work normally and fails to provide enough oxygen to the tissues. A distinctive sign of this is swollen limbs; the limbs swell because the kidneys cause the body to retain water. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, and a high heart rate.