Hemochromatosis or ‘bronze diabetes’

October 12, 2023

Hemochromatosis is a rare genetic disorder that quietly threatens the health of affected individuals by causing iron overload, which can lead to severe organ dysfunction.
Hemochromatosis has been dubbed “bronze diabetes” because of the skin darkening and concomitant pancreatic illness.
This health condition is primarily classified into two types–
- Hereditary hemochromatosis
  - It is a genetic disorder driven by a mutation in the HFE gene, resulting in individuals being homozygous for the C282Y variant.
  - This genetic anomaly sets the stage for a lifelong struggle with excessive iron absorption within the intestines.
  - Individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis have a relentless and indiscriminate iron absorption mechanism, leading to a gradual buildup of iron in their system.
  - Over time, this iron overload becomes a ticking time bomb for multiple organs.

Secondary hemochromatosis
- On the other hand, Secondary hemochromatosis differs from the hereditary form as it is typically caused by external factors like frequent blood transfusions, excessive iron supplementation, or certain medical conditions.
- The iron accumulation in secondary hemochromatosis is often more rapid and can have a similar impact on organ function.
Common symptoms include- Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue),weight loss,weakness and joint pain etc.
Treatment– Phlebotomy is the standard treatment for primary hemochromatosis. Iron toxicity can be reduced by removing red blood cells, the body’s main mobilizer of iron. Phlebotomy is usually performed once or twice a week.