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Hemochromatosis

Source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov
Topic: Hemochromatosis
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Sort Desciption: What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is ... What causes hemochromatosis? Hereditary hemochromatosis is mainly caused by a defect in a gene called ...

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What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is the most common form of iron overload disease. Primary hemochromatosis, also called hereditary hemochromatosis, is an inherited disease. Secondary hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other disorders. Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30. The neonatal form causes rapid iron buildup in a babys liver that can lead to death. Hemochromatosis causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up in the bodys organs and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause the liver, heart, and pancreas to fail. Iron is an essential nutrient found in many foods. The greatest amount is found in red meat and iron-fortified breads and cereals. In the body, iron becomes part of hemoglobin, a molecule in the blood that transports oxygen from the lungs to all body tissues. Healthy people usually absorb about 10 percent of the iron contained in the food they eat, which meets normal dietary requirements. People with hemochromatosis absorb up to 30 percent of iron. Over time, they absorb and retain between five to 20 times more iron than the body needs. Because the body has no natural way to rid itself of the excess iron, it is stored in body tissues, specifically the liver, heart, and pancreas. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Hemochromatosis U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Excess iron is stored in body tissues, specifically the liver, heart, and pancreas. Liver Heart Pancreas What causes hemochromatosis? Hereditary hemochromatosis is mainly caused by a defect in a gene called HFE, which helps regulate the amount of iron absorbed from food. The two known m ...

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