Haemochromatosis

Written by Dr David Maxton, gastroenterologist

How is haemochromatosis diagnosed?
A hospital specialist in liver or heart disease is more likely to spot haemochromatosis, as most GPs are unfamiliar with the disease. Blood tests are carried out first but these are not always reliable. Patients with symptoms often have a liver biopsy to assess liver damage and confirm the presence of excess iron.

Screening of relatives of patients with hereditary haemochromatosis is usually recommended.

Good advice

Limit the amount of iron in your diet.

Eating red or organ meats (such as liver) is not recommended.

Iron supplements should also be avoided, including iron combined with other multivitamins.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption from the gut and intake should also be limited.

Avoid excess alcohol as this may make liver disease worse.

What treatment is available?
The main treatment for haemochromatosis is regular bloodletting known as therapeutic venesection. One unit of blood (approximately 500ml) is taken at a time in a similar way to blood donation but much more frequently.

Initially blood and the iron in the red blood cells may be removed weekly until body iron stores return to normal. This may take months or longer. Treatment may be lifelong.

Future prospects
Your prospects largely depend on the stage at which the disease was diagnosed. Symptoms of tiredness and general weakness often improve, but joint problems may not.

Abdominal pain and liver enlargement can also lessen or disappear, and heart function may also improve with treatment. However, liver cirrhosis is irreversible and a liver transplant may be required. Patients with liver disease are also usually monitored for liver cancer, which can be a long-term complication.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved