What are the symptoms?
Iron builds up slowly so symptoms may not appear until age 30 or 40. These symptoms include:
Chronic fatigue
Abdominal pain
Impotence
Arthritis
Diabetes
Liver disorders
Cardiomyopathy
Skin pigmentation
Most of these symptoms can be found in other disorders but when arthritis affects the first two finger joints, it is highly suggestive of haemochromatosis.
Chronic fatigue, weakness and lethargy may be ascribed to the after effects of viral infection or to psychological causes, and abdominal pain to irritable bowel syndrome. Similarly, liver disorders may be put down to excessive alcohol intake, even in moderate drinkers.
In such cases haemochromatosis should be considered as a diagnosis.
Most individuals with haemochromatosis will develop at least one or two of these symptoms, although possibly in a mild form. The need for treatment does not depend on the presence of symptoms. Anybody with this diagnosis should be treated to remove iron overload.

What is the Haemochromatosis?
Diagnosis and Treatment - What are the tests?
Diagnosis and Treatment - What is the treatment?
How is haemochromatosis inherited?
Who should be tested?

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