Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
Hemochromatosis-related diabetes: Introduction
Hemochromatosis-related diabetes: A single-gene disease that causes iron accumulation in the tissues of the body. Diabetes is a primary complication if hemochromatosis goes untreated. Hemochromatosis is sometimes referred to as "bronze diabetes.".
More detailed information about the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of Hemochromatosis-related diabetes is available below.
Symptoms of Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
- Symptoms of the disease include, joint pain, thyroid problems, hair loss, bronzing of the skin (hence the term "bronze diabetes), chronic fatigue, diabetes, menstrual irregularities, impotence, abdominal pain, liver disease, and liver or pancreatic cancer.
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Hemochromatosis-related diabetes: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Hemochromatosis-related diabetes:
- Arthritis
- Liver disease, including an enlarged liver, cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure
- Damage to the pancreas, possibly causing diabetes
- Heart abnormalities, such as irregular heart rhythms or congestive heart failure
- Impotence
- Early menopause (see Menopause)
- Changes in secondary sex characteristics; loss of sexual desire
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Wrongly Diagnosed with Hemochromatosis-related diabetes?
Causes of Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
- It is an inherited disorder that can lead to the onset of type 1 diabetes after years of iron overload which can damage the pancreas. Diabetes did not cause hemochromatosis, but hemochromatosis causes diabetes. For this reason, this form of diabetes is considered a "secondary" diabetes because it is caused by damage to the pancreas from excessive levels of iron
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More information about causes of Hemochromatosis-related diabetes:
Treatments for Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
- Hemochromatosis is usually treated by a specialist in liver disorders (hepatologist), digestive disorders (gastroenterologist), or blood disorders (hematologist). Because of the other problems associated with hemochromatosis, several other specialists may be on the treatment team, such as an endocrinologist, cardiologist, or rheumatologist. Internists or family practitioners can also treat the disease
- Treatment involves removing excess iron from the body and to give supportive treatment to damaged organs. Excess iron is removed through phlebotomy (removal of blood). One-half liter of blood is removed from the body each week for 2 to 3 years until the iron stores are depleted. After that, less frequent phlebotomy is needed to maintain iron levels within normal limits. How often additional phlebotomy will be required depends on levels of hemoglobin, serum ferritin (iron), and patient symptoms. Persons with hemochromatosis must follow a special low-iron diet and there is cure for hemochromatosis
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Prognosis for Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
Prognosis for Hemochromatosis-related diabetes:
The sooner a diagnosis of hemochromatosis is made, the more favorable the long-term outcome for the patient. If treatment beings prior to complications (organ damage) many problems associated with hemochromatosis can often be avoided. Even if some organ damage has occurred, it may be able to be reverse or minimized the impact by early detection and treatment.
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