Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is a condition where too much iron can build up in the body. This can damage the liver and other organs if untreated.

The name haemochromatosis is used for a few different conditions. They all have different causes. But they share a name because they can all lead to iron building up in the liver. Each type usually starts in a different age group – adults in mid-life, teens and young adults, or newborn babies.

It’s important to remember that they are separate conditions. People don’t progress from one type to another as they get older.

The most common type of haemochromatosis affects adults, and is usually diagnosed in people aged 40 or more. Most of our information is about this type of haemochromatosis. It is a genetic disease and can run in families. Having the genes for haemochromatosis does not mean you will definitely become seriously ill, so not everyone will need treatment.

Juvenile haemochromatosis is usually diagnosed in patients’ teens or twenties. It is a rare form of haemochromatosis. Symptoms are similar to haemochromatosis in older adults, but are usually worse and start at a younger age. This is because it is linked to different gene variants and iron builds up much more quickly.

Neonatal haemochromatosis is an extremely rare disorder affecting newborn babies. This does not seem to be genetic.

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Haemochromatosis is also known as hereditary haemochromatosis or HH, genetic haemochromatosis or GH, hemochromatosis, iron overload