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Welcome to the Haemochromatosis Society Australia Inc's web site!
More than likely, you, a family member or friend has recently been diagnosed with
haemochromatosis and you want to find out more about the disorder.
This website has been designed to allow you, the viewer, to choose how deeply you wish to delve
into the disorder known as haemochromatosis.
Below is a quick overview of haemochromatosis that we have provided to hopefully,
ease your mind and let you get a basic understanding of haemochromatosis.
If you would like to know more information than is provided on this web site then pleasejoinand receive our FREE 72 page booklet as part of your membership.
(1 copy per new membership)!
By joining you will also help support our non-profit organisation and assist in further research into Hereditary Haemochromatosis.
Membership fees and/or donations are tax-deductible in the Commonwealth of Australia.
Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Hereditary Haemochromatosis is one of the most common, yet least often
diagnosed disorders affecting the population.
It is more common than
cystic fibrosis but less well known or diagnosed.
It is the abnormal and excessive absorption of iron from food in which
the excess iron is retained and deposited in various joints and organs
throughout the body, in particular, the liver.
Normally, the liver stores iron for the essential purpose of providing new red blood cells with iron. This is necessary for life and good health, however, when excess quantities are stored in the liver, it becomes enlarged and causes serious damage to the tissue (cirrhosis).
This can subsequently lead to cancer of the liver and premature death, if the condition is not diagnosed and treated.
As well as liver disease, other serious
conditions can be caused by excess iron: Diabetes, arthritis, heart
disease and psychological problems.
In the general population in Australia, at least 1 person in 300 is likely to be
affected by haemochromatosis during his or her lifetime.
Women are
equally at risk as men but the disorder tends to show up later in life
for them because of the amount of iron lost through their menses and/or
childbirth.
However, women can be seriously affected before symptoms
appear so it is important for them to have regular medical checkups.
Because iron builds up slowly in the adult form of haemochromatosis,
obvious symptoms may not appear until the age of 30/40 for men and
later for women.
Previously, it was thought that the disorder was extremely rare
(1 in 300,000) and the end stage of liver disease due to alcoholism,
so haemochromatosis was seldom considered as a possible diagnosis
where symptoms existed.
However, studies in several countries
have shown a prevalence of 1 in 400 in Caucasians and as high
as 1 in 50 for people of Celtic ancestry.
The data contained within the site is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice.
Medical Advisory Board:
Professor Lawrie Powell AC, Professor of Medicine, UQld Brisbane QLD
Professor John Olynyk, Professor of Medicine, University Department of Medicine, Fremantle WA
Professor Frank Dudley, Director, Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Alfred, Prahran VIC
Dr Kevin Hourigan, Gastroenterologist, Brisbane QLD
Dr Ric Reiner, Director of Medicine, Mackay Base Hospital.
Dr Katherine Stuart, Gastroenterologist, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane QLD