About haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis leads to a build-up of iron, known as iron overload.

This can cause unpleasant symptoms. If it isn't treated, this can damage parts of the body such as the liver, joints, pancreas and heart.

Haemochromatosis most often affects people of white northern European background.

It is particularly common in countries where there are more people from a Celtic background, such as Northern Ireland.

Symptoms of haemochromatosis

Symptoms of haemochromatosis usually start between the ages of 30 and 60.

Common symptoms include:

• feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• weight loss
• weakness
• joint pain
• in men, an inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• in women, irregular periods or absent periods 

Find out more about Haemochromatosis at NI Direct: Click Here