Hypocalcemia, commonly known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when calcium levels in the blood are low.

A
long-term deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes
the bones to become brittle.

2. Extreme fatigue

Low levels of calcium can cause insomnia or sleepiness.

People tend to experience:

 extreme fatigue

 lethargy

 an overall feeling of sluggishness

 lack of energy

Fatigue associated with calcium deficiency can also cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and brain fog, which involves

lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion.

The bones store calcium well, but they require high levels to stay strong. When overall levels of calcium are low, the
body can divert it from the bones, making them brittle and prone to injury.

Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Too much calcium

in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain

work.

Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. These four tiny glands are situated

behind the thyroid gland. Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other medical disorders,

some medications, and taking too much of calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a low level of phosphate in the blood.[1] Symptoms may include
weakness, trouble breathing, and loss of appetite.[1] Complications may include seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, or softening of the
bones.[1]
Causes include alcoholism, refeeding in those with malnutrition, diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, hyperventilation, and certain
medications.[1] It may also occur in the setting of hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Cushing syndrome.[1] It is diagnosed
based on a blood phosphate concentration of less than 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL).[1] When levels are below 0.32 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dL)
it is deemed to be severe.[2]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.[1] Phosphate may be given by mouth or by injection into a vein.[1] Hypophosphatemia
occurs in about 2% of people within hospital and 70% of people in the intensive care unit(ICU).[1][3]

 Alcohol abuse – Alcohol impairs phosphate absorption. Alcoholics are usually also
malnourished with regard to minerals. In addition, alcohol treatment is associated with refeeding,
 and the stress of alcohol withdrawal may create respiratory alkalosis, which exacerbates
hypophosphatemia.
 yperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is an elevated level of phosphate in the blood.[1] Most people
have no symptoms while others develop calcium deposits in the soft tissue.[1] Often there is also low calcium levels which
can result in muscle spasms.[1]

 Causes include kidney failure, pseudohypoparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis, tumor lysis
syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis.[1] Diagnosis is generally based on a blood phosphate levels of greater than 1.46 mmol/L
(4.5 mg/dL).[1] When levels are greater than 4.54 mmol/L (14 mg/dL) it is deemed severe.[3] Levels may appear falsely
elevated with high blood lipid levels, high blood protein levels, or high blood bilirubin levels.[1]

 Treatment may include eating a phosphate low diet and antacids, like calcium carbonate, that bind phosphate.
[1]
Occasionally intravenous normal saline or dialysis may be used.[1] How commonly it occurs is unclear.[2]

Hyperphosphatemia

Phosphate group chemical structure

Specialty Endocrinology, nephrology

Symptoms None, calcium deposits, muscle spasms[1]

Complications Low blood calcium[1]

Causes Kidney

failure, pseudohypoparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetic

ketoacidosis, tumor lysis syndrome, rhabdomyolysis[1]

Diagnostic Blood phosphate > 1.46 mmol/L (4.5 mg/dL)[1]

method
 Differential High blood lipids, high blood protein, high blood bilirubin[1]

diagnosis

Treatment Decreasing intake, calcium carbonate[1]

Frequency Unclear[2]

If you have hypokalemia, that means you have low levels of potassium in your blood. Potassium is a mineral your body needs to work normally.
It helps muscles to move, cells to get the nutrientsthey need, and nerves to send their signals. It’s especially important for cells in your heart. It
also helps keep your blood pressure from getting too high.

Causes

There are many different reasons you could have low potassium levels. It may be because too much potassium is leaving through your digestive
tract. It’s usually a symptom of another problem. Most commonly, you get hypokalemia when:

 You vomit a lot

 You have diarrhea

 Your kidneys or adrenal glands don’t work well

 You take medication that makes you pee (water pills or diuretics)

It’s possible, but rare, to get hypokalemia from having too little potassium in your diet. Other things sometimes cause it, too, like:

 Drinking too much alcohol

 Sweating a lot

 Folic acid deficiency

 Certain antibiotics

 Diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of acids called ketones in your blood)

 Laxatives taken over a long period of time

 Certain types of tobacco

 Some asthma medications

 Low magnesium

Symptoms

High potassium (hyperkalemia)Print

DefinitionHyperkalemia is the medical term that describes a potassium level in your blood that's higher

than normal. Potassium is a chemical that is critical to the function of nerve and muscle cells, including

those in your heart.

Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium
level higher than 6.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and usually requires immediate treatment.

f you have hyperkalemia, you have too much potassium in your blood. The body needs a delicate
balance of potassium to help the heart and other muscles work properly. But too much potassium
in your blood can lead to dangerous, and possibly deadly, changes in heart rhythm.

Causes

Hyperkalemia can happen if your kidneys don’t work properly and cannot remove potassium from your body or if you take
certain medicines.

Kidney disease is the most common cause of hyperkalemia. Your kidneys help control the balance of potassium in your body. If
they don’t work well, they can’t filter extra potassium from the blood or remove it from the body. A hormone called aldosterone
tells the kidneys when to remove potassium. Diseases that lower the production of this hormone, such as Addison's disease, can
lead to hyperkalemia.

Too much potassium in the diet can also contribute to higher levels in your blood, especially if your kidneys don’t work well or
you take certain medicines. Salt substitutes typically contain high amounts of potassium. Foods such as melons, orange juice, and
bananas are rich in potassium, too.

Some health problems interfere with how potassium moves out of the body's cells. Sometimes, cells release too much potassium.
Releasing too much potassium can result from:

Hyponatremia

Synonyms Hyponatraemia, low blood sodium, hyponatræmia

Sodium

Specialty Internal medicine

Symptoms Decreased ability to think, headaches, nausea, poor balance,

confusion, seizures, coma[1][2]

Types Low volume, normal volume, high volume[3]

Diagnostic Serum sodium < 135 mmol/L[2]

method
 Differential High protein levels, high blood fat levels, high blood sugar[4][5]

diagnosis

Treatment Based on underlying cause[3]

Frequency Relatively common[5][6]

Hyponatremia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search

Hyponatremia

Synonyms Hyponatraemia, low blood sodium, hyponatræmia

Sodium

Specialty Internal medicine

Symptoms Decreased ability to think, headaches, nausea, poor

balance, confusion, seizures, coma[1][2]

Types Low volume, normal volume, high volume[3]

Diagnostic Serum sodium < 135 mmol/L[2]

method

Differential High protein levels, high blood fat levels, high blood

diagnosis sugar[4][5]

Treatment Based on underlying cause[3]

 Frequency Relatively common[5][6]

Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood.[3] It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less
than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L.[2][7] Symptoms can be absent, mild
or severe.[1][8] Mild symptoms include a decreased ability to think, headaches, nausea, and poor balance.[2] Severe
symptoms include confusion, seizures, and coma.[1][8]
The causes of hyponatremia are typically classified by a person's body fluid status into low volume, normal volume,
or high volume.[3] Low volume hyponatremia can occur from diarrhea, vomiting, diuretics, and sweating.[3]Normal
volume hyponatremia is divided into cases with dilute urine and concentrated urine.[3] Cases in which the urine is
dilute include adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and drinking too much water or too much beer.[3] Cases in which
the urine is concentrated include syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).[3] High volume
hyponatremia can occur from heart failure, liver failure, and kidney failure.[3] Conditions that can lead to falsely low
sodium measurements include high blood protein levels such as in multiple myeloma, high blood fat levels, and high
blood sugar.[4][5]
Treatment is based on the underlying cause.[3] Correcting hyponatremia too quickly can lead to complications.[4] Rapid
partial correction with 3% normal saline is only recommended in those with significant symptoms and occasionally
those in whom the condition was of rapid onset.[3][5] Low volume hyponatremia is typically treated with
intravenous normal saline.[3] SIADH is typically treated with fluid restriction while high volume hyponatremia is
typically treated with both fluid restriction and a diet low in salt.[3] Correction should generally be gradual in those in
whom the low levels have been present for more than two days.[3]

In hypernatremia, the level of sodium in blood is too high.

 Hypernatremia involves dehydration, which can have many causes, including not drinking enough
fluids, diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, and diuretics.

 Mainly, people are thirsty, and if hypernatremia worsens, they may become confused or have
muscle twitches and seizures.

 Blood tests are done to measure the sodium level.

 Usually, fluids are given intravenously to slowly reduce the sodium level in the blood.

(See also Overview of Electrolytes and Overview of Sodium's Role in the Body .)
Sodium is one of the body's electrolytes, which are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in
body fluids such as blood. In hypernatremia, the body contains too little water for the amount of sodium.
The sodium level in the blood becomes abnormally high when water loss exceeds sodium loss.
Usually, hypernatremia results from dehydration. For example, people may lose body fluids and become
dehydrated due to
 Drinking too little

 Vomiting

 Having diarrhea

 Using diuretics
  Sweating excessively

Insufficient water intake usually plays an important role.

People with diabetes mellitus and high blood sugar levels may urinate excessive amounts, causing
dehydration. Dehydration can also be caused by kidney disorders and by diabetes insipidus, which also
causes people to urinate excessive amounts although without high blood sugar levels,and is due to
inadequate or ineffectivevasopressin secretion or action.
Rarely, adrenal gland disorders can cause mild hypernatremia without dehydration. Excessive administration
of salt (usually in hospitalized people) is another rare cause of hypernatremia. Hypernatremia is most
common among older people.

Symptoms

Hypernatremia typically causes thirst. The most serious symptoms of hypernatremia result from brain
dysfunction. Severe hypernatremia can lead to confusion, muscle twitching, seizures, coma, and death.

Diagnosis

 Measurement of sodium level in the blood

The diagnosis is based on blood tests indicating that the sodium level is high.

Doctors may do further testing to identify the cause of the hypernatremia, including measurements of urine
volume and concentration. A special test called the water deprivation test is useful in identifying some
causes, such as diabetes insipidus. The doctor monitors a person carefully during the 12-hour course of this
test, because it is potentially dangerous.

Treatment

 Fluid replacement

Hypernatremia is treated by replacing fluids. In all but the mildest cases, dilute fluids (containing water and a
small amount of sodium in carefully adjusted concentrations) are given intravenously. The sodium level in
blood is reduced slowly because reducing the level too rapidly can cause permanent brain damage.

Low magnesium level

Low magnesium level is a condition in which the amount of magnesium in the blood is lower than normal. The
medical name of this condition is hypomagnesemia.
 Causes

Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also
contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Magnesium is needed for many functions in the body, including the
physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy (metabolism).
When the level of magnesium in the body drops below normal, symptoms of low magnesium may develop.

Common causes of low magnesium include:

 Alcohol use
 Burns that affect a large area of the body

 Chronic diarrhea
 Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during
recovery from acute kidney failure
 High blood calcium level (hypercalcemia)
 Hyperaldosteronism (disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of
the hormone aldosterone into the blood)
 Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel
disease
 Malnutrition
What are the symptoms of hypomagnesemia?
Common symptoms include:

 Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)

 Convulsions.
 Fatigue.
 Muscle spasms or cramps.
 Muscle weakness.
 Numbness.

Hypermagnesemia

Magnesium

Specialty Endocrinology

Symptoms Weakness, confusion, decreased breathing

 rate[1]

Complications Cardiac arrest[1]

Causes Kidney failure, treatment induced, tumor lysis

syndrome, seizures, prolonged ischemia[2][1]

Diagnostic Blood level > 1.1 mmol/L (2.6 mg/dL)[1][3]

method

Treatment Calcium chloride, intravenous normal

saline with furosemide, hemodialysis[1]

Frequency Uncommon[3]

Hypermagnesemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a high level of magnesium in the

blood.[3] Symptoms include weakness, confusion, decreased breathing rate, and decreased reflexes.
[1][3]
Complications may include low blood pressure and cardiac arrest.[4][1]
It is typically caused by kidney failure or is treatment induced such as from antacids that contain
magnesium.[1][5] Less common causes include tumor lysis syndrome, seizures, and
prolonged ischemia.[2] Diagnosis is based on a blood level greater than 1.1 mmol/L (2.6 mg/dL).[1][3] It
is severe if levels are greater than 2.9 mmol/L (7 mg/dL). [4] Specific electrocardiogram(ECG) changes
may be present.[1]
Treatment involves stopping the magnesium a person is getting. [2]Treatment when levels are very
high include calcium chloride, intravenous normal saline with furosemide, and hemodialysis.
[1]
Hypermagnesemia is uncommon.[3] Rates may be as high as 10% among those in hospital. [2]

Contents

 1Signs and symptoms

 2Causes

o 2.1Predisposing conditions

o 2.2Metabolism

 3Diagnosis

 4Treatment

 5References

 6External links
Signs and symptoms[edit]
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 Weakness, nausea and vomiting

 Impaired breathing

 Decreased respirations

 Low blood pressure

 Low blood calcium

 Abnormal heart rhythms and asystole

 Decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes

 Low heart rate

 Dizziness

 Sleepiness

Abnormal heart rhythms and asystole are possible complications of hypermagnesemia related to the
heart. Magnesium acts as a physiologic calcium blocker, which results in electrical conduction
abnormalities within the heart.
Clinical consequences related to serum concentration:

 4.0 mEq/l decreased reflexes

 >5.0 mEq/l Prolonged atrioventricular conduction

 >10.0 mEq/l Complete heart block

 >13.0 mEq/l Cardiac arrest

Note that the therapeutic range for the prevention of the pre-eclampsic uterine contractions is: 4.0-
7.0 mEq/L.[6] As per Lu and Nightingale,[7] serum Mg2+ concentrations associated with maternal
toxicity (also neonate depression - hypotonia and low Apgar scores) are:

 7.0-10.0 mEq/L - loss of patellar reflex

 10.0-13.0 mEq/L - respiratory depression

 15.0-25.0 mEq/L - altered atrioventricular conduction and (further) complete heart block

 >25.0 mEq/L - cardiac arrest

Causes[edit]
Magnesium status depends on three organs: uptake in the intestine, storage in the bone and
excretion in the kidneys. Hypermagnesemia is therefore often due to problems in these organs,
mostly intestine or kidney.[8]

Predisposing conditions[edit]
 Hemolysis, magnesium concentration in erythrocytes is approximately three times greater
than in serum, therefore hemolysis can increase plasma magnesium. Hypermagnesemia is
expected only in massive hemolysis.
 Kidney insufficiency, excretion of magnesium becomes impaired when creatinine
clearance falls below 30 ml/min. However, hypermagnesemia is not a prominent feature of renal
insufficiency unless magnesium intake is increased.

 Other conditions that can predispose to mild hypermagnesemia are diabetic

ketoacidosis, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism and lithium intoxication.

Metabolism[edit]
For a detailed description of magnesium homeostasis and metabolism see hypomagnesemia.

Diagnosis[edit]
Hypermagnesemia is diagnosed by measuring the concentration of magnesium in the blood. Concentrations of
magnesium greater than 1.1 mmol/L are considered diagnostic.[1]

Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks

adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues.

As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron,

your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry

oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of

breath.

You can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplementation. Sometimes

additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency anemia are necessary, especially if your

doctor suspects that you're bleeding internally.

Symptoms

Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body

becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify.

Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include:

 Extreme fatigue
  Weakness

 Pale skin

 Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath

 Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness

 Cold hands and feet

 Inflammation or soreness of your tongue

 Brittle nails

 Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch

 Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia

When to see a doctor

If you or your child develops signs and symptoms that suggest iron deficiency anemia, see

your doctor. Iron deficiency anemia isn't something to self-diagnose or treat. So see your

doctor for a diagnosis rather than taking iron supplements on your own. Overloading the body

with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and

cause other complications.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Causes

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce

hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and

enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body.

If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce

enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia include:

 Blood loss. Blood contains iron within red blood cells. So if you lose blood, you lose
some iron. Women with heavy periods are at risk of iron deficiency anemia because they
lose blood during menstruation. Slow, chronic blood loss within the body — such as from
 a peptic ulcer, a hiatal hernia, a colon polyp or colorectal cancer — can cause iron
deficiency anemia. Gastrointestinal bleeding can result from regular use of some over-
the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.

 A lack of iron in your diet. Your body regularly gets iron from the foods you eat. If you
consume too little iron, over time your body can become iron deficient. Examples of iron-
rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods. For proper
growth and development, infants and children need iron from their diets, too.

 An inability to absorb iron. Iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream in your
small intestine. An intestinal disorder, such as celiac disease, which affects your
intestine's ability to absorb nutrients from digested food, can lead to iron deficiency
anemia. If part of your small intestine has been bypassed or removed surgically, that may
affect your ability to absorb iron and other nutrients.

 Pregnancy. Without iron supplementation, iron deficiency anemia occurs in many

pregnant women because their iron stores need to serve their own increased blood
volume as well as be a source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus.

Risk factors

These groups of people may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia:

 Women. Because women lose blood during menstruation, women in general are at
greater risk of iron deficiency anemia.

 Infants and children. Infants, especially those who were low birth weight or born
prematurely, who don't get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron
deficiency. Children need extra iron during growth spurts. If your child isn't eating a
healthy, varied diet, he or she may be at risk of anemia.

 Vegetarians. People who don't eat meat may have a greater risk of iron deficiency
anemia if they don't eat other iron-rich foods.

 Frequent blood donors. People who routinely donate blood may have an increased risk
of iron deficiency anemia since blood donation can deplete iron stores. Low hemoglobin
related to blood donation may be a temporary problem remedied by eating more iron-rich
foods. If you're told that you can't donate blood because of low hemoglobin, ask your
doctor whether you should be concerned.

Complications
Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn't cause complications. However, left untreated, iron

deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:

 Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your
heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood
when you're anemic. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

 Problems during pregnancy. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has
been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. But the condition is
preventable in pregnant women who receive iron supplements as part of their prenatal
care.

 Growth problems. In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia as
well as delayed growth and development. Additionally, iron deficiency anemia is
associated with an increased susceptibility to infections.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of iron deficiency anemia by choosing iron-rich foods.

Choose iron-rich foods

Foods rich in iron include:

 Red meat, pork and poultry

 Seafood

 Beans

 Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach

 Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots

 Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas

 Peas

Your body absorbs more iron from meat than it does from other sources. If you choose to not

eat meat, you may need to increase your intake of iron-rich, plant-based foods to absorb the

same amount of iron as does someone who eats meat.

Choose foods containing vitamin C to enhance iron absorption

You can enhance your body's absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice or eating other foods

rich in vitamin C at the same time that you eat high-iron foods. Vitamin C in citrus juices, like

orange juice, helps your body to better absorb dietary iron.

Vitamin C is also found in:

 Broccoli

 Grapefruit

 Kiwi

 Leafy greens

 Melons

 Oranges

 Peppers

 Strawberries

 Tangerines

 Tomatoes

Preventing iron deficiency anemia in infants

To prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants, feed your baby breast milk or iron-fortified

formula for the first year. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron for babies and isn't

recommended for infants under 1 year. After age 6 months, start feeding your baby iron-

fortified cereals or pureed meats at least twice a day to boost iron intake. After one year, be

sure children don't drink more than 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of milk a day. Too much milk

often takes the place of other foods, including those that are rich in iron.
Iron overload disorder: All you need to knowHemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder in which a

person absorbs too much iron from the food and drink they consume. Left untreated, it can damage various organs in

the body. The skin takes on a bronze color.

The surplus iron is stored in the liver, heart, pancreas, and other organs. Damage to the pancreas can lead

to diabetes. Hereditary hemochromatosis can also lead to cancer and heart disease.

Hemochromatosis can be primary, a result of genetic alterations, or secondary, as a result of another disease or

condition.

Primary hemochromatosis mostly affects white people. In the United States, it affects around 5 white people in every

1,000, and 10 percent of white people carry one of the genes related to the condition. However, many people have

the gene mutation but no symptoms.

As women regularly lose blood during menstruation, hemochromatosis is less common among females than males.

Blood loss reduces iron levels.

What is iron overload disorder?

If the body absorbs too much iron, hemochromatosis can result.

Iron overload disorder can be either primary or secondary.

Primary, or classic hemochromatosis is passed on genetically, and it accounts for up to 90 percent of cases.

Secondary hemochromatosis can result from some kinds of anemia, for example, thalassemia, or chronic liver

disease, such as chronic hepatitis C infection or alcoholic liver disease.

Although hemochromatosis is linked to, however, most people with the condition have normal liver enzymes.
A patient who is diagnosed with hemochromatosis needs prompt treatment to avoid further iron accumulation in the

body.

Risk factors

There are some known risk factors for hemochromatosis.

Genetic factors: Having two copies of a mutated "high iron" or, HFE gene, is the greatest risk factor for hereditary

hemochromatosis. The person inherits one copy of the mutated HFE gene from each parent. H refers to high, and FE

means iron.

Family history: A person with a parent, child, brother, or sister with hemochromatosis is more likely to have it.

Ethnicity: People of British, Scandinavian, Dutch, German, Irish, and French ancestry have a higher risk of having

the HFE gene mutation and of developing hemochromatosis.

Gender: Men are significantly more likely to develop hemochromatosis than women, and they tend to experience

signs and symptoms between the ages of 40 and 60 years, while women are more likely to develop it

after menopause.

This is because women lose iron during menstruation and pregnancy. A woman's risk increases after the menopause

or a hysterectomy. Among every 28 people with hemochromatosis, 18 are male and 10 are female.

Some researchers have suggested that genetic hemochromatosis may be linked to autoimmune thyroiditis, either

playing a role in the development of thyroiditis, or overlapping with it.

Causes

Most people absorb around 10 percent of the iron they consume. When there are sufficient stores of iron, the body

reduces iron absorption through the intestine to prevent levels from rising too far.
People with hereditary hemochromatosis may absorb up to 30 percent of the iron they consume. At this rate, the body

cannot expel the extra iron fast enough, so it builds up. The body stores the excess in the tissues of major organs,

mainly in the liver, and also the heart and the pancreas.

People with hemochromatosis may eventually build up between 5 and 20 times the amount of iron they should have.

Over time this excess iron can destroy organs, resulting in organ failure and chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis,

heart disease, and diabetes.

Primary hemochromatosis: A genetic mutation

Every living organism has genes. Genes are a set of instructions that decide what the organism is like, how it

survives, and how it behaves in its environment. A mutation in one gene can change the way the body works.