What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is the most common form
of iron overload disease. Primary hemochromatosis, also called
hereditary hemochromatosis, is an inherited disease. Secondary
hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other
disorders. Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis
are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile
hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and
heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages
of 15 and 30. The neonatal form causes rapid iron buildup in a
baby’s liver that can lead to death. Hemochromatosis causes the
body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up
in the body’s organs and damages them. Without treatment, the
disease can cause the liver, heart, and pancreas to fail. Iron
is an essential nutrient found in many foods. The greatest
amount is found in red meat and iron-fortified breads and
cereals. In the body, iron becomes part of hemoglobin, a
molecule in the blood that transports oxygen