What is it like living with hemochromatosis?
What is it like living with hemochromatosis?
Early symptoms of haemochromatosis can include fatigue, abdominal pain, and joint aches. The fact that these symptoms are quite general, and tend to build slowly, adds to the lack of awareness of the disorder. What’s more, the early symptoms of too much iron and not enough iron are very similar.
How long does it take to recover from hemochromatosis?
Once your iron levels have returned to normal, blood can be removed less often, typically every two to three months. Some people may maintain normal iron levels without having any blood taken, and some may need to have blood removed monthly. The schedule depends on how rapidly iron accumulates in your body.
How does hemochromatosis make you feel?
You may feel a lack of energy, general weakness, and difficulty concentrating (“memory fog”). Women are more likely than men to report fatigue as an early symptom of hemochromatosis. Fatigue can be a symptom of complications of hemochromatosis, such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or diabetes.
How long can someone live with hereditary hemochromatosis?
Survival and causes of death were analyzed among 163 patients with hemochromatosis diagnosed between 1959 and 1983. Mean followup was 10.5 +/- 5.6 years (+/- SD). Cumulative survival was 76% at 10 years and 49% at 20 years.
Can I live a normal life with hemochromatosis?
If not caught and addressed early, severe hemochromatosis can cause serious problems. These complications can include organ damage and possible death. But hemochromatosis is also a manageable disease. With early detection and treatment, you can survive and live a normal, healthy life.
At what age should you be tested for hemochromatosis?
It is best to get tested when you are age 18 to 30 when tests can usually detect the disease before serious organ damage occurs.
Does hemochromatosis shorten your life?
Most people with hemochromatosis have a normal life expectancy. Survival may be shortened in people who are not treated and develop cirrhosis or diabetes mellitus.
Does hemochromatosis shorten life expectancy?
Hemochromatosis may shorten life expectancy. It can be fatal. If hemochromatosis is diagnosed after organ damage has already occurred, there may be permanent scarring of the liver, which in turn may lead to liver cancer.
What is the main cause of hemochromatosis?
Gene mutations that cause hemochromatosis A gene called HFE is most often the cause of hereditary hemochromatosis. You inherit one HFE gene from each of your parents. The HFE gene has two common mutations, C282Y and H63D. Genetic testing can reveal whether you have these mutations in your HFE gene.
Can you die from hemochromatosis?
Treatment may help prevent, delay, or sometimes reverse complications of the disease. Treatment also may lead to better quality of life. For people who are diagnosed and treated early, a normal lifespan is possible. If left untreated, hemochromatosis can lead to severe organ damage and even death.
What causes high iron levels in blood?
High iron in the blood is most commonly caused by hemochromatosis, a common genetic disorder. Symptoms of high iron in the blood include fatigue, weakness and pain in the abdomen near the liver.
What is a hemochromatosis test?
A hemochromatosis test, also called an HFE test, analyzes a blood sample of a patient for a hereditary gene which causes hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs too much iron.