Iron metabolism disorder is a group of conditions that involve either an excess or deficiency of iron in the body. Iron is vital for the production of red blood cells and is therefore key to survival, but an excess of iron can cause cell damage due to oxidative stress. Proper regulation of iron levels in your body is therefore important.
The most common disorders of iron metabolism are iron deficiency anemia, hereditary hemochromatosis, and iron overload.
Iron deficiency anemia
Anemia caused by iron deficiency is quite common and affects 500 million people worldwide. Symptoms include tiredness, weakness, headaches, pale skin, shortness of breath, and irregular or pounding heartbeat. Iron deficiency is easy to diagnose, using only a blood test.
The most common causes of iron deficiency are heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy or lack of iron in your diet.
It is important to see a doctor if you suspect you have an iron deficiency. If left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can increase the likelihood of heart failure and make you more vulnerable to illness and infection.
When you visit your doctor, he or she will prescribe iron tablets to replace the iron deficiency. If the deficiency is partly a dietary problem, you will be advised what to do to increase your iron intake. This may include:
- Eating iron-rich foods such as iron-fortified cereals and bread, meat, legumes and lentils.
- Reduce intake of tea, coffee and milk.
Iron is vital for the production of red blood cells.
Hereditary hemochromatosis
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron. The iron is stored in organs such as the liver, heart and pancreas. In extreme cases, this iron buildup can lead to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). However, hemochromatosis is usually diagnosed much earlier.
The first symptoms of hemochromatosis appear between the ages of 30 and 60 and include fatigue, weakness, joint pain and weight loss. Since many conditions have these symptoms, hemochromatosis can often be difficult to diagnose.
Treatment usually involves periodically drawing blood through a procedure called phlebotomy. If this is not enough to reduce your iron levels satisfactorily, your doctor may prescribe medication.
Iron overload
Iron overload is the more general term when you have too much iron in your body. While hemochromatosis is an iron overload caused by a genetic problem, iron overloads also often occur as a result of:
- Liver disease.
- Excessive iron intake through your diet.
- Periodic blood transfusions, often given to patients with sickle cell disease or some types of anemia.
In these situations, unlike hemochromatosis, “early warning signs” of iron overload rarely appear, and many people are only diagnosed after organ damage has occurred. Treatment may include medications to reduce blood iron levels and dietary advice.