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Haemochromatosis is a condition caused by a build up of iron in your body. People with haemochromatosis absorb too much iron from food (iron overload) and the extra iron can damage organs, particularly the liver, heart, pancreas, bones and joints. Haemochromatotic arthritis refers to the joint symptoms that are sometimes associated with haemochromatosis.
With early diagnosis and treatment, before complications occur, most people with haemochromatosis can lead full and active lives.
The symptoms of haemochromatosis can vary from person to person. Early haemochromatosis often has no symptoms. As iron slowly builds up in the body over many years, symptoms may begin to be noticed, usually after the age of 40. Symptoms of haemochromatosis can include:
Over time, more serious complications and symptoms of untreated iron overload can occur. This can include liver damage, poor heart function, diabetes, joint damage (similar to osteoarthritis), loss of libido (sex drive) and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). However not all people with haemochromatosis will experience these complications. For example, only one in four people will have joint damage.
Haemochromatosis results from a defect (mutation) in a single gene known as the HFE gene. This gene controls the amount of iron your body absorbs from food. You can develop haemochromatosis if you inherit a defective HFE gene from both your mother and father.
Haemochromatosis is usually diagnosed by simple blood tests called complete iron studies. It may also be confirmed with a blood test for the faulty HFE gene.
With early diagnosis and treatment, before complications occur, most people with haemochromatosis can lead full and active lives. If haemochromatosis is untreated, it can lead to a number of complications, especially in your joints and in organs where excess iron tends to be stored (liver, heart, pancreas). Joint damage from haemochromatosis does not tend to disappear, even if iron levels return to normal with treatment. People with joint damage often have ongoing pain, stiffness and difficulties using their joints. This usually requires treatments such as medicines, physiotherapy, aids/gadgets and lifestyle changes. Arthritis caused by haemochromatosis rarely causes severe disability but, when it does, surgery to replace joints may be necessary.
At present there is no cure for haemochromatosis or the arthritis caused by iron overload. Early diagnosis and treatment is aimed at reducing the long term complications of the condition.
The goal of treatment for haemochromatosis is to reduce iron levels to a safe level and prevent long term complications of iron overload. Treatment for haemochromatosis usually involves removal of blood via a needle into the arm, similar to blood donation. Up to 500mL of blood is removed at regular intervals until iron levels are at a safe level.
Although this type of treatment is usually very effective for iron levels, it does not appear to reduce the symptoms of arthritis or reverse the damage to the joints.
Treatments for arthritis vary depending on which joints are affected and can include:
Your local Arthritis Office has more information on medicines, physical activity, healthy eating and surgery.
Websites:
Haemochromatosis Australia, Australian Rheumatology Association, American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis Foundation (US) , Arthritis Research UK
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