Introduction
Hemochromatosis is a disease in which there is an increased deposition of iron in tissue. The main symptom of hemochromatosis is enlargement of the liver. However, hemochromatosis does not only affect the liver, but can also trigger symptoms in various organs through cell damage. In the following we have listed the most important symptoms of hemochromatosis:
- Liver enlargement, liver cirrhosis with fatigue, loss of performance
- Bronze Diabetes
- Dark coloration of the skin
- Dark circles and yellowing of the eyes
- Heart failure
- Joint Pain
- Hypothyroidism with fatigue, weakness, cold intolerance
- Impotence
- Bone loss, increased risk of fracture
Liver symptoms
The liver is typically affected by iron deposition in hemochromatosis. Initially, the deposits lead to an enlargement of the liver. Over time, however, the liver’s ability to function is reduced.
Connective tissue is converted and liver tissue is destroyed. At this stage, one speaks of cirrhosis of the liver. With the increasing loss of liver function, symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, loss of performance and weight loss occur.
In advanced stages of the disease, the skin, eyes and itching become yellow. Other liver diseases, such as hepatitis, have an additional negative effect on the course of the disease and promote the loss of liver tissue. At the base of liver cirrhosis there is a risk of tumor formation in the liver, the so-called hepatocellular carcinoma.
This can rarely occur even without existing liver cirrhosis and is difficult to treat. Due to an early diagnosis and the associated early start of therapy, liver cirrhosis occurs less frequently today. The liver can also recover to a certain extent during therapy, provided the previous damage is not too serious. Unfortunately, however, many patients – around 75% – still have cirrhosis of the liver at diagnosis.
Symptoms of the pancreas – Bronze Diabetes
The iron deposits in the pancreas cause the insulin-forming cells to disappear over time. This causes the body to lose the ability to produce insulin. However, insulin is important to keep the sugar level in the blood constant.
If there is a lack of insulin, the sugar levels in the blood can be too high or too low, which can have serious consequences in both cases. This is known as diabetes mellitus. In connection with bronze-colored skin, hemochromatosis is referred to as bronze diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus can manifest itself through weight loss and increased urinary excretion. Other symptoms are severe thirst, fatigue, ravenous appetite, a tendency to infections and poorly healing wounds. Today, diabetes mellitus is observed less frequently because hemochromatosis is detected and treated earlier.
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