Hemochromatosis
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body and to give supportive treatment to damaged organs.
Iron removal is achieved by removing 1/2 liter of blood from the body each week for 2 to 3 years until the iron stores in the body are depleted. After that, less frequent removal of blood is needed to maintain iron levels within normal limits.
Loss of sexual desire and change in secondary sexual characteristics are improved with testosterone therapy.
Management of diabetes, arthritis, liver failure, and heart failure associated this condition, are the same as conventional treatments for these problems.
Expectations (prognosis):
Life expectancy is increased by 8 years or more with treatment, which improves the enlarged liver and spleen, skin pigmentation changes, and cardiac failure. Arthritis and testicular atrophy are not affected by treatment. Liver cirrhosis is irreversible. Early detection and treatment before liver damage has occurred is correlated with a normal life expectancy.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hemochromatosis develop.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider (for screening) if a family member has been diagnosed with hemachromatosis.
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