Clinical consult: iron overload--hereditary hemochromatosis

Primary Care
Anne L MatthewsLouise S Acheson

Abstract

One of the most common genetic causes of iron overload is hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC), a condition characterized by overabsorption of dietary iron from the gastrointestinal tract. This condition can lead to excessive iron accumulation with resulting dysfunction in multiple organs, including the liver, skin, heart,joints, pancreas, and testes. The clinical consequences of HHC if undetected and untreated can be severe and include liver cirrhosis,hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, cardiac arrhythmias and failure, arthritis, and hypogonadism. HHC is one of the most common heritable conditions in white populations of Northern European origin. This article presents a case study of HHC, describing inheritance and genetics, disease characteristics and natural history, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management.

References

Dec 12, 1996·The New England Journal of Medicine·Z J BulajJ P Kushner
May 9, 2001·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·A S TavillUNKNOWN American Gastroenterological Association

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 4, 2008·Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal of the American College of Medical Genetics·Howard P LevyDiane C Seibert
Oct 27, 2015·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Amit LahotiAdrianna Vlachos

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is a malignant cancer in liver epithelial cells. Discover the latest research on Hepatocellular Carcinoma here.