What Is Hemochromatosis?

What you need to know about this surprisingly common iron storage disorder

- Emily A. Kane

Q: What is hemochromatosis and what can I do about it?

-Angelica T., Sioux Falls, SD

A: Hemochromatosis is a condition in which iron can accumulate and create damage and inflammation in the body. This excess iron can be very corrosive to the internal organs, and if left untreated, can hasten organ degradation and even lead to death.

The main marker for hemochromatosis is high serum ferritin levels. A normal ferritin level is 50-100 ng/mL of serum. Below 10 is suggestive of anemia, and levels above 200 ng/mL in men and 150 ng/ml in women warrant further evaluation for hemochromatosis. The normal iron content of a human body is about 3-4 grams, which is held mostly in the red blood cells. Iron helps "magnetize" oxygen onto the red blood cells. We also store a small amount on a molecule called ferritin that can hold up to 4,500 molecules of iron.