Too much iron may be harmful - hemochromatosis

Nutrition Health Review, Winter, 2002

Hemochromatosis, a common inherited disorder, occurs when iron levels slowly and dangerously build up in the body. Most people do not even know that they have the disease until middle age, when symptoms are more likely to appear.

Hemochromatosis can manifest in several ways, such as premature menopause, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, darkened skin, and even heart failure. Presented with such a wide range of symptoms, some physicians may not immediately recognize this disorder.

In recent years, advertisements for dietary iron supplements have warned consumers about the dangers of having too little iron in their blood, a condition called anemia. As a result, many people view iron as a mineral that is completely sate in large amounts. In reality, only a few groups of people--such as women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and people with gastrointestinal tract bleeding--need additional iron in their diets.

As recently as 15 years ago, hemochromatosis was considered rare. It is now believed that as many as one in every 250 people currently have the condition, even though only a small percentage ever experience symptoms. Because the affected organs vary from patient to patient, hemochromatosis can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

For instance, an accumulation of too much iron in the skin results in a darkened color, which may be difficult to distinguish from a suntan. Iron buildup in the pancreas can destroy insulin-producing cells and can cause diabetes, and excess iron in the heart can weaken contractions and may lead to heart failure. The most common target for iron is the liver, which can scar and, eventually, may fail altogether.

Treatment of hemochromatosis is simple: A pint or two of blood is withdrawn each week for one or two years until levels of transferrin (the protein responsible for iron storage) return to normal. As soon as treatment begins, damage to the organs stops progressing and additional blood is drawn only occasionally to maintain normal levels.

Because the blood test required to detect hemochromatosis is not part of a routine checkup, the disease can go unnoticed for years and can cause serious damage to a number of organs. It is recommended that a one-time hemochromatosis screening be performed by a physician in order to prevent any unnecessary illness.