Iron Overload Symptoms
Hemochromatosis is the term used for iron overload, which means an excessive amount of iron in the body. Hemochromatosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms closely resemble many other disorders and diseases, but understanding the symptoms can help you decide when it is time to make an appointment with your physician.
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Age range
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The majority of people who have iron overload (an iron buildup in their blood stream) are middle-aged; however, some children present with symptoms as well. Because the range of symptoms is largely dependent on which body organs are being affected, it can affect middle-aged men and women differently, and children may present different symptoms than adults.
Early Symptoms
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The early indicators that you may have hemochromatosis often mimic symptoms of other diseases. They can include extreme fatigue, weakness in one or all of your muscles and joints, a general weak feeling throughout your body, weight loss that cannot be explained through diet or exercise, abdominal problems including pain or nausea, joint pain throughout the body and a general feeling of being unwell.
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Moderate symptoms
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Many people may ignore the early signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis, attributing them to a chaotic work schedule or other issues. Following the early stages of iron overload the iron begins to build up in the body's organs and produces more significant and noticeable symptoms.
Some of the later symptoms include changes in menstrual periods including cessation of menses; the early introduction of menopause without surgical introduction or other explainable causes; a loss of sex drive; or impotence in men; a loss of body hair; and shortness of breath. In addition to physically noticeable symptoms, a person with developing hemochromatosis may also have elevated liver enzymes during a blood test.
Advanced Symptoms
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As hemochromatosis (iron overload) continues to build iron in the body and create issues for body organs, advanced symptoms begin to appear. As the progression of the disease continues, symptoms can include arthritis, liver problems (scarring of the liver and liver cancer), blood sugar issues (elevated readings), stomach pain that will not decrease or go away, the development of an irregular heart rate, the development of heart failure and a change in skin color to gray or bronze.
Warning
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Because the organ damage from iron overload can be severe and even life threatening, it is important to seek the advice of a medical professional if you have symptoms of iron overload.
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