ABSTRACT
Hereditary hemochromatosis in people of northern European descent is more common than many physicians realize. It causes excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron, leading to potentially fatal iron deposition in multiple organs. Early diagnosis and phlebotomy to reduce iron stores can prevent complications and provide normal life expectancy. Genetic testing of relatives of patients with hemochromatosis is warranted in some circumstances.
- Copyright © 2002 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Geraldine M. McCarthy, MD⇑,
- Conor J. McCarthy, MD,
- Dermot Kenny, MD,
- John Crowe, MD, PhD and
- Stephen Eustace, MB
- Department of Medicine, University College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital; and Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin
- Department of Medicine, University College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin
- Department of Medicine, University College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin
- Department of Radiology, University College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin
- ADDRESS:
Geraldine M. McCarthy, MD, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; e-mail gmccarthy{at}rcsi.ie
ABSTRACT
Hereditary hemochromatosis in people of northern European descent is more common than many physicians realize. It causes excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron, leading to potentially fatal iron deposition in multiple organs. Early diagnosis and phlebotomy to reduce iron stores can prevent complications and provide normal life expectancy. Genetic testing of relatives of patients with hemochromatosis is warranted in some circumstances.
- Copyright © 2002 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.