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Iron overload

Iron overload means too much iron is stored in the body. It may be hereditary, as in HFE haemochromatosis, or secondary to repeated blood transfusions, certain blood disorders or liver disease. Early symptoms are often vague, such as tiredness, joint problems or abdominal pain. High ferritin alone does not prove iron overload; transferrin saturation, medical history and sometimes genetic testing or imaging help identify the cause. Treatment is medical, usually involving professionally performed venesection when appropriate.

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  • Iron overload means too much iron is stored in the body, which can damage organs over time.
  • The best-known hereditary form is HFE haemochromatosis. Secondary iron overload can result from repeated blood transfusions, certain blood disorders or chronic liver disease, among other causes.
  • Early symptoms are often vague and develop slowly. This means the condition is sometimes only discovered late.
  • High ferritin alone is insufficient for diagnosis because inflammation, fatty liver, alcohol use and other conditions also raise it.
  • Treatment is medical. Professional venesection is commonly used for some forms, but not for everyone and never as a home method.

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