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Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder which is associated with an overload of iron i.e. excessive accumulation of iron within the body, particularly the parenchymal organs which results in organ toxicity. This inherited liver disorder is very commonly found in white people, particularly Caucasians living the Unites States. Iron is a mineral that is present in many food items. Normally, a human body has the capacity of absorbing around 10 percent of iron from the food. If a person is suffering from hemochromatosis, his or her body is likely to absorb more iron than what is actually required. Since, there is no natural process by which the body can release extra iron, it gets stored in the tissues, particularly the heart, liver, and pancreas. This stored iron can result in organ damage and if timely treatment is not provided, it can also lead to complete organ failure. Symptoms of Hemochromatosis People who are suffering from primary hemochromatosis may not be aware of their condition owing to the lack of any symptoms. Therefore, the only way to discover this disease is when increased levels of iron get detected through a routine blood test. A male body may not exhibit any symptoms till the age of 40 or 50 years. Although, some may experience skin darkening as a result of iron deposits. Since females have a mechanism to lose excess of iron in the form of menstrual blood loss, the disease starts affecting them around 20 years later than men. When iron gets deposited in the pituitary glands, it may lead to shrinkage of testicles, thus causing impotence. When iron gets deposited in the pancreas, it can reduce the production of insulin which in turn results in the occurrence of Diabetes Mellitus. Deposition of iron in the muscles of the heart can result in abnormal heart rhythms as well as heart failure. When iron gets accumulated in the Liver, it results in Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and can even lead to liver cancer. Treatment of Hemochromatosis One of the most effective ways in which hemochromatosis can be treated is by the process of phlebotomy. This process involves drawing blood from the veins of the arms which helps in reducing the level of iron present in the body. Around once in every two weeks, one unit of blood is withdrawn from the body, which brings out around 250 mg of iron. Simultaneously, transferring saturation and serum ferritin are checked after every 2 to 3 months. Once the ferritin levels of the body are below 50ng/ml along with less than 50 percent of transferring saturation, the frequency of phlebotomy process is reduced. The damaging of organs like liver, pancreas, testicles, heart, and joints can be completely prevented if hemochromatosis is diagnosed at an early stage and timely treatment is provided to the patient. Patients suffering from cirrhosis can experience improvement in the functioning of their heart, color of the skin as well as diabetes with effective treatment. However, the presence of cirrhosis cannot be undone and the risk of contracting liver cancer still remains. Browse PhlebotomySchoolsU.com and find Top phlebotomy Schools in California that offer phlebotomy associated degree programs in various specialization fields.
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