Iron overload

Iron overload is the abnormal and increased accumulation of total <a href="/facts/Iron/DkICCKIC">iron</a> in the body, leading to organ damage. The primary mechanism of organ damage is <a href="/facts/Oxidative_stress/HX7dfUUb">oxidative stress</a>, as elevated intracellular iron levels increase <a href="/facts/Free_radical/g8XthvBS">free radical</a> formation via the <a href="/facts/Fenton_reaction/gTBzVprG">Fenton reaction</a>. Iron overload is often primary (i.e <a href="/facts/Hereditary_haemochromatosis/pFV8HJ3V">hereditary haemochromatosis</a>, <a href="/facts/Aceruloplasminemia/lttLM6jw">aceruloplasminemia</a>) but may also be secondary to other causes (i.e. <a href="/facts/Transfusion_hemosiderosis/0KBnDlzG">transfusional iron overload</a>). Iron deposition most commonly occurs in the liver, pancreas, skin, heart, and joints. People with iron overload classically present with the triad of <a href="/facts/Liver_cirrhosis/bkLuLvCD">liver cirrhosis</a>, secondary <a href="/facts/Diabetes_mellitus/2xeHXbsI">diabetes mellitus</a>, and bronze skin. However, due to earlier detection nowadays, symptoms are often limited to general chronic <a href="/facts/Malaise/vdb5DxAU">malaise</a>, <a href="/facts/Arthralgia/jEHMRWX7">arthralgia</a>, and <a href="/facts/Hepatomegaly/zbVkL3aX">hepatomegaly</a>.

Iron overload open-in-new

Iron overload