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Hemochromatosis
Hair loss can sometimes be a symptom of iron overload. This
may be the result of high dose intake or, much more serious, as
a result of a little known genetic disease called hemochromatosis.
This condition is the result of a defective gene that stops the
individual's body from breaking down and removing iron from the
blood stream. Although intake of iron may be normal, the concentration
of iron in the body increases as the system to remove it no longer
functions. The condition can occur at two different levels. An
individual may be a carrier for the defective gene and have a
partial ability to remove iron. Iron levels may be high for these
people but not necessarily life threatening. However, a child
from two carriers for the gene will have severe hemochromatosis
which, if undiagnosed, can result in death. Hemochromatosis is
entirely treatable once diagnosed.
This paragraph on hemochgromatosis
was included after I was sent a message from a friend of someone
who presented at a dermatology clinic with hair loss. At the
time
the hair loss was incorrectly diagnosed as alopecia areata.
This individual died and was subsequently found to have severe
hemochromatosis.
Contact
organization addresses
American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS)
777 East Atlantic Avenue, Z-363
Delray Beach, FL 33483-5352
E-mail: ahs@emi.net
Website: www.americanhs.org.
The American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS) is dedicated to providing
the latest information on genetic testing for hereditary hemochromatosis,
pediatric hereditary hemochromatosis, and research relating to hereditary
hemochromatosis/iron overload. They provide support for all individuals
with iron overload.
Hemochromatosis references
- Trost LB, Bergfeld WF, Calogeras E. The diagnosis
and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship
to hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol.
2006 May;54(5):824-44. PMID: 16635664
- Waalen J, Felitti V, Gelbart T, Ho NJ, Beutler E.
Prevalence of hemochromatosis-related symptoms among individuals with mutations
in the HFE gene.
Mayo Clin Proc. 2002 Jun;77(6):522-30.
- Kere J, Hoglund P.
Inherited disorders of ion transport in the intestine.
Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2000 Jun;10(3):306-9.
- Verloes A, Lombet J, Lambert Y, Hubert AF, Deprez M, Fridman
V, Gosseye S, Rigo J, Sokal E.
Tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome: further delineation of a distinct syndrome with
neonatal hemochromatosis phenotype, intractable diarrhea, and hair anomalies.
Am J Med Genet. 1997 Feb 11;68(4):391-5.
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