Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening

What Is Hereditary Hemochromatosis?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron. This causes iron to build up in the blood, liver, heart, pancreas, joints, skin, and other organs.

In its early stages, hemochromatosis can cause joint and belly pain, weakness, lack of energy, and weight loss. It can also cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), darkening of the skin, diabetes, infertility, heart failure, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), and arthritis. But many people do not have symptoms in the early stages.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is usually found at ages 40 to 60.