Training & Education - Clinical Features

There are no symptoms specific to hemochromatosis. A hemochromatosis diagnosis can be missed even in advanced stages unless looked for specifically (Hanson EH, 2001).

 

"When hereditary hemochromatosis was considered a very rare disease and diagnosis relied on severe signs, such as the triad of cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and skin bronzing, along with evidence of iron overload on tissue biopsy, there was little controversy about its diagnosis. Now, however, the recognition that these severe disease manifestations are preventable with early treatment has led to strong interest in early diagnosis of the disease."

Wylie M. Burke, PhD, MD
Professor and Chair, Department of Medical History and Ethics,
University of Washington

 

 

 

 

Health care professionals can facilitate early diagnosis by maintaining a high index of suspicion for patients who have early signs or symptoms of this disease.

Content in this module includes:

• Factors that may contribute to the clinical expression of hemochromatosis.
• Early stages of hemochromatosis.
• Advanced stages of hemochromatosis.
  

 

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