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Iron overload
| Iron overload | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Haemochromatosis or Hemochromatosis |
 | |
| Micrograph of liver biopsy showing iron deposits due to haemosiderosis. Iron stain. | |
| Specialty | Hematology, gastroenterology/hepatology |
Iron overload (also known as haemochromatosis or hemochromatosis) is the abnormal and increased accumulation of total iron in the body, leading to organ damage.[1] The primary mechanism of organ damage is oxidative stress, as elevated intracellular iron levels increase free radical formation via the Fenton reaction. Iron overload is often primary (i.e. hereditary haemochromatosis) but may also be secondary to repeated blood transfusions (i.e. transfusional iron overload).[2] Iron deposition most commonly occurs in the liver, pancreas, skin, heart, and joints. People with iron overload classically present with the triad of liver cirrhosis, secondary diabetes mellitus, and bronze skin.[3] However, due to earlier detection nowadays, symptoms are often limited to general chronic malaise, arthralgia, and hepatomegaly.[3]
- ^ Hsu CC, Senussi NH, Fertrin KY, Kowdley KV (June 2022). "Iron overload disorders". Hepatol Commun. 6 (8): 1842–54. doi:10.1002/hep4.2012. PMC 9315134. PMID 35699322.
- ^ Hider RC, Kong X (2013). "Iron: Effect of Overload and Deficiency". In Astrid Sigel, Helmut Sigel and Roland K. O. Sigel (ed.). Interrelations between Essential Metal Ions and Human Diseases. Metal Ions in Life Sciences. Vol. 13. Springer. pp. 229–94. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_8. ISBN 978-94-007-7499-5. PMID 24470094.
- ^ a b Daniłowicz-Szymanowicz L, Świątczak M, Sikorska K, Starzyński RR, Raczak A, Lipiński P (2021-07-16). "Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Clinical Implications of Hereditary Hemochromatosis-The Cardiological Point of View". Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland). 11 (7): 1279. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11071279. ISSN 2075-4418. PMC 8304945. PMID 34359361.
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