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Iron overload (also known as haemochromatosis or hemochromatosis) is the abnormal and increased accumulation of total iron in the body, leading to organ damage. [1] The primary mechanism of organ damage is oxidative stress, as elevated intracellular iron levels increase free radical formation via the Fenton reaction.
The human body has protective mechanisms in place to prevent excess free ferric iron from circulating the body. When being transported throughout the body, iron is bound to an iron transporting protein called transferrin to prevent iron from being absorbed into different cells. [6] Any excess iron is stored as ferritin in the liver. [6]
Hemosiderin deposition in the liver is a common feature of hemochromatosis and is the cause of liver failure in the disease. Selective iron deposition in the beta cells of pancreatic islets leads to diabetes [4] [2] due to the distribution of transferrin receptor on the beta cells of islets [3] and in the skin leads to hyperpigmentation.
Iron is a mineral that is crucial for optimal health and well-being. Found naturally in many foods and dietary supplements, it is a key component of hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells ...
Iron deficiency anemia can intensify symptoms of fatigue and shortening of breath, and can cause cold sensitivity, hair loss, paleness to the skin and nail changes, says Cunningham. It has also ...
A blood clot that reaches your brain can cause a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden: Numbness or weakness, often on one side of your body or face. Confusion. Trouble seeing in one or both ...
Although this mechanism is an elegant response to short-term bacterial infection, it can cause problems when it goes on so long that the body is deprived of needed iron for red cell production. Inflammatory cytokines stimulate the liver to produce the iron metabolism regulator protein hepcidin , that reduces available iron.
Haemochromatosis is protean in its manifestations, i.e., often presenting with signs or symptoms suggestive of other diagnoses that affect specific organ systems.Many of the signs and symptoms below are uncommon, and most patients with the hereditary form of haemochromatosis do not show any overt signs of disease nor do they have premature morbidity, if they are diagnosed early, but, more ...