What it is
Untreated, it can damage the liver, joints and heart and cause diabetes.
The main treatment is regularly removing blood (venesection), similar to giving blood. Close relatives may be offered testing.
Common signs
- Feeling very tired
- Weight loss
- Joint pain, often in the knuckles
- Erectile dysfunction or irregular periods
- Darker or bronze skin
- Often no symptoms early on
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood tests for iron levels (ferritin and transferrin saturation)
- Genetic test
- Liver tests or scans
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Ferritin and transferrin saturation results over time
- Genetic test result
- Venesection dates
- Liver test and scan reports
Questions to ask your doctor
- How often will I need venesection?
- What ferritin level should I aim for?
- Should my family be tested?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Yellow skin or eyes, a swollen tummy or vomiting blood: get urgent medical help
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.