Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition in which iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years.

This build-up of iron, known as iron overload, can cause unpleasant symptoms. If it isn't treated, this can damage parts of the body such as the liver, joints, pancreas and heart.

Haemochromatosis most often affects people of white northern European background and is particularly common in countries where lots of people have a Celtic background, such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Symptoms of haemochromatosis

Symptoms of haemochromatosis usually start between the ages of 30 and 60.

Common symptoms include:

• feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• weight loss
• weakness
• joint pain
• in men, an inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• in women, irregular periods or absent periods  

Read more about symptoms of haemochromatosis.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you have:

• persistent or worrying symptoms that could be caused by haemochromatosis – particularly if you have a northern European family background
• a parent or sibling with haemochromatosis, even if you don't have symptoms yourself – tests can be done to check if you're at risk of developing problems

Talk to your GP about whether you should have blood tests to check for haemochromatosis.

Read more about tests for haemochromatosis.

Treatments for haemochromatosis

There's currently no cure for haemochromatosis, but there are treatments that can reduce the amount of iron in the body and reduce the risk of damage.

There are two main treatments.

• phlebotomy – a procedure to remove some of your blood; this may need to be done every week at first but can be done every few months once your iron level comes down to normal
• chelation therapy – where you take medication to reduce the amount of iron in your body; this is only used if it's not easy to regularly remove some of your blood

You don't need to make any big changes to your diet to control your iron levels if you're having treatment, but you'll usually be advised to avoid:

• breakfast cereals containing added iron
• iron or vitamin C supplements
• drinking too much alcohol

Read more about how haemochromatosis is treated.

Causes of haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is caused by a faulty gene that affects how the body absorbs iron from food.

You're at risk of developing the condition if both of your parents have this faulty gene and you inherit one copy from each of them.

You won't get haemochromatosis if you only inherit one copy of the genetic fault, but there's a chance you could pass the faulty gene on to any children you have.

And even if you do inherit two copies, you won't necessarily get haemochromatosis. Only a small number of people with two copies of this genetic fault will ever develop the condition. It's not clear exactly why this is.

Read more about the causes of haemochromatosis.

Complications of haemochromatosis

If the condition is diagnosed and treated early on, haemochromatosis doesn't affect life expectancy and is unlikely to result in serious problems.

But if it's not found until it's more advanced, the high iron levels can damage parts of the body.

This can lead to potentially serious complications, such as:

• liver problems – including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) or liver cancer
• diabetes – where the level of sugar in the blood becomes too high
• arthritis – pain and swelling in the joints
• heart failure – where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly

Read more about complications of haemochromatosis.

Further support

The Haemochromatosis Society is a patient-run UK charity that provides information and support to people living with haemochromatosis.

It has a helpline, as well as running face-to-face support groups where you can meet other people affected by the condition.