Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is a genetic or acquired (secondary haemochromatosis) disorder that causes the body to absorb excessive amounts of iron from the diet. This is then deposited in various organs, mainly the liver, but also the pancreas, heart, endocrine glands and joints. Because humans cannot increase excretion of iron, the deposits accumulate over time. Untreated, it can result in irreparable organ damage including cirrhosis of the liver, late onset diabetes or cardiomyopathy. The liver normally stores a small amount of iron in order to provide new red blood cells with the material wh...