Symptoms on the skin

Among other things, the iron is deposited in the skin. This leads to a distinct dark coloration. In the final stage we speak of a bronze-colored skin.

The armpits are particularly affected by the darkening of the skin. In addition to the increase in skin pigmentation, the hairs thin out, especially the hairs in the armpits are affected. But also the hairs of the head can fall out more often and turn grey at an early stage.

It is assumed that the skin does not only turn darker due to the iron deposits, but primarily due to an inflammatory reaction, which is triggered by the iron. In the course of this inflammatory reaction, there is an increased production of melanin, which is also responsible for a dark skin color in healthy people. This is why the brown color of the skin is particularly noticeable in areas that are exposed to sunlight.

In addition, nipples, perineum, palms and scars are also increasingly affected. In addition to the dark discoloration of the skin caused by melanin, there is also an increase in red spots. After the start of phlebotomy therapy, there is usually a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. Bloodletting therapy is a medical procedure in which a large amount of blood is taken from the patient, which can then be replaced by infusions.

Symptoms on the eyes

Circles under the eyes and yellowing of the sclerae can occur in hemochromatosis due to liver damage. In contrast to a metabolic disease called Wilson’s disease, in which copper deposition in the eye occurs classically, deposition in the eye is not typical in hemochromatosis.However, cases have been reported in which corneal deposits have been deposited on the cornea, resulting in visual deterioration.

Symptoms of the heart

Due to the storage of iron in the heart, the heart muscle increases in mass and thickness. As a result, the heart‘s interior spaces initially become smaller. From a certain point on, the increase in heart muscle mass has a negative effect on the heart’s pumping capacity.

The blood filling of the heart is particularly affected, which can no longer be adequately filled due to the increasing stiffness of the heart muscle. Medically, this is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy then leads to heart failure.

This means that the heart is no longer able to supply the body adequately with blood because its pumping capacity is too weak. The functional impairment of the heart manifests itself in weakness and shortness of breath. In some cases, the mechanical pump restriction can also lead to rhythm disturbances of the heart. Under certain circumstances an irregular heartbeat can be perceived. Heart problems are one of the most common causes of death in hemochromatosis.