What are the signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis?
In early stages of hemochromatosis, symptoms are non-specific and mimic a variety of other disease symptoms. Symptoms can include fatigue, palpitations, joint pain, non-specific stomach pain, and impotence, as well as loss of menstruation and infertility. Abnormalities of liver function tests can also occur in the absence of symptoms.
In the early stages of hemochromatosis, symptoms are non-specific and mimic a variety of other disease symptoms. Symptoms can include fatigue, palpitations, joint pain, non-specific stomach pain, and impotence, as well as loss of menstruation and infertility. Abnormalities of liver function tests can also occur in the absence of symptoms. The consequences of advanced hemochromatosis include gray or bronze skin pigmentation, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, diabetes, heart disease, joint disease, chronic abdominal pain, severe fatigue and certain infections. Death may result from cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, diabetes, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Hemochromatosis can affect many parts of the body and can cause many different signs and symptoms. Many of the signs and symptoms are similar to those of other, more common diseases. Some people with the hemochromatosis genes may have no signs or symptoms at all. Signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis usually are not seen until middle age. Men are more likely to develop complications such as diabetes or cirrhosis, and women are more likely to have general symptoms such as fatigue (tiredness). Signs and symptoms also vary based on how far the disease has advanced.
