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Diseases Associated With Iron Overload

Iron overload occurs when there is an excess of iron in the body. This may develop from inherited genetics, taking too many iron supplements, a large amount of blood transfusions or iron injections. When an individual's vital organs experience iron overload, she is at an increased risks for diseases such as liver disease, heart failure and hyperthyroidism. The treatment for iron overload is iron reduction therapy or the removal of blood, also known as phlebotomy.

  1. Liver Disease

    • Liver disease is the most common condition resulting from iron overload. The term liver disease covers a number of conditions that cause a disturbance in the natural function of the liver, such as cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. If an individual develops cirrhosis, the healthy tissues of the liver are increasingly replaced with non-functioning scar tissue. Liver cancer develops as the result of damage to the liver because of iron overload. The damage cause by cirrhosis or liver cancer may result in liver failure, when the liver ceases to function, which is a life-threatening condition. The treatment of liver disease includes radiation therapy, surgery and transplantation.

    Heart Failure

    • Iron overload can cause a serious heart condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy to develop. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a disease that makes the walls on the heart's lower chamber become rigid, restricting their ability to expand when blood fills the chamber. Eventually, an individual who has this condition will suffer heart failure when his heart can no longer pump blood. Health care providers usually treat restrictive cardiomyopathy by addressing the condition that is causing it.

    Hyperthyroidism

    • Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, controls the rate of metabolism in the body, and has an impact on the function of the heart, bones, cholesterol and muscles. Too much thyroid hormones may cause rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, sudden weight loss and nervousness. Hyperthyroidism is easily treated with prescription medication. If the condition is left untreated, and the hormones build up too high in the body, a life-threatening condition called thyroid storm may develop. A person with thyroid storm should seek immediate medical assistance.

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