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Haemochromatosis & Wilson's disease

Haemochromatosis et morbus Wilsoni · Hemochromatóza a Wilsonova choroba

What it is

Inherited overload of iron (haemochromatosis) or copper (Wilson's) that poisons liver, heart and brain.

Symptoms & signs

  • Fatigue
  • joint pain
  • bronze skin
  • diabetes
  • liver enlargement
  • tremor and psychiatric change in Wilson's
  • Kayser-Fleischer rings

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Yellow skin with confusion or vomiting blood
  • see a doctor soon Yellow skin or eyes, or a swelling belly
  • see a doctor soon Breathlessness, swollen ankles or a racing irregular heart
  • see a doctor soon New tremor, clumsiness or change in behaviour in a young person

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Regular venesection for iron
  • chelation (deferasirox)
  • penicillamine, trientine or zinc for copper
  • screen relatives
  • transplant if decompensated

Natural & lifestyle

  • Avoid iron and vitamin C supplements (haemochromatosis)
  • avoid liver, shellfish, chocolate (Wilson's)
  • no alcohol
  • blood donation where accepted

Emerging & experimental

  • Hepcidin mimetics
  • gene therapy for Wilson's (VTX-801)

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Proton-pump inhibitors — reduce iron absorption; studies show fewer venesections needed mixed evidence
  • Tea with meals — reduces iron absorption; small studies early / small studies
  • Chelating herbs (turmeric) — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes