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    Home » Nutrition

    18 Signs of Iron Overload (and what tests you'll want to take)

    By Catherine on October 23, 2017 Last Updated October 14, 2022 14 Comments | No Medical Advice | This Post Contains Affiliate Links

    18 Signs of Hereditary Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload | Butter NutritionWhile you've probably heard of anemia or low iron levels, talk about hereditary hemochromatosis or milder forms of iron overload is not nearly as common. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disease in which your genes allow your body to absorb more iron from your food than normal resulting in too much iron. The typical healthy person absorbs approximately 10% of the iron that they eat, but in cases of hereditary hemochromatosis or iron overload, up to four times that amount can be absorbed. [2]

    Some speculate that the genetic mutation associated with hemochromatosis may have emerged as a protective mechanism to prevent iron deficiency in humans as they transitioned to a carbohydrate heavy diet based around farming and agriculture from the previous hunter-gatherer centered diet. [11]

    Excess iron acts as a rusting agent in your body and can accumulate in tissues, particularly in the liver, pancreas, heart, joints and the brain. This speeds up the aging process and puts you at a much higher risk for vascular disease, cancer, and a shortened life expectancy. Iron overload is also linked to liver disease, cardiovascular disease, gout, infertility, hypothyroidism, and a very long list of others, making it essential for you to know your iron status. [10]

    The Signs and Symptoms of Iron Overload:

    While the symptoms are often silent in the early stages of hereditary hemochromatosis or iron overload, as it progresses it can lead to:

    • Heart arrhythmia
    • Diabetes
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Hormonal problems
    • Loss of libido
    • Infertility
    • Impotence
    • Heart disease
    • Liver disease and cirrhosis
    • Yellowing of the skin
    • Joint pain
    • Weakness
    • Nausea
    • Abdominal pain
    • Arthritis
    • Weight loss
    • Hair loss
    • Depression
    • Fatigue

    *Typically iron saturation and serum iron are the first to creep up outside the normal range in iron overload. High bilirubin, and elevated liver enzymes on lab tests can also hint at iron overload. [5]

    How common is hereditary hemochromatosis or iron overload?

    There are two major HFE (high iron) genes that cause overload: C282Y and H63D.

    The common diagnosis for hemochromatosis by the medical community requires having two copies (one from each parent, called homozygous) of either C282Y or H63D for disease to develop. Based on genetic estimates, this is present in about 1 in 200 Caucasians, making hemochromatosis one of the most prevalent genetic diseases in North America. [10,13]

    However, even those without the standard hereditary hemochromatosis diagnosis can have a tendency toward iron overload. Those who are carriers or heterozygous with only a single copy of either HFE gene can display symptoms of iron overload. A person can also have one copy of both C282Y and H63D (called compound heterozygous), increasing the symptomatic probability. Because symptoms can manifest in carriers, it is commonly missed or overlooked by conventional medicine.

    Furthermore, there are at least 20 other mutations have been identified but are not currently understood at this point by the medical research community.

    Considering that approximately 1 in every 3 people are carriers for one of the major hemochromatosis genes and there is currently no national screening program in place, there could be a large undiagnosed population. An iron panel was a standard part of yearly blood work until about 1996-1997, but now it's typically only done if requested or your doctor has a reason to do so.

    That's why testing your iron levels and knowing your genetics is key to staying ahead of your health.

    How do you find out if you are at risk for iron overload?

    According to the Iron Disorders institute, you are most at risk for iron overload if:

    • Your ancestors are from Northern Europe.
    • You have a family history of heart trouble, especially early death by heart attack or a history of diabetes, liver disease, osteoarthritis, hormone imbalances, especially hypothyroidism, or infertility.
    • You are male, or a postmenopausal female who is no longer menstruating (as menstruating women lose some iron naturally with their monthly cycle).
    • You are homozygous for the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene, homozygous for the H63D HFE gene, compound heterozygote (C282Y/H63D) and some carriers.

    There are two essential steps for finding out your risk of hereditary hemochromatosis or iron overload. Some choose to do a blood test first, while some choose to do genetic testing as a first step. It's really up to you and your health support team.

    With Genetic Testing: You used to be able to order an ancestry report through 23andMe that would give you all your raw genetic data, which you could then hack by following the simple protocol below to understand if you are at risk of iron overload. However, 23andme is constantly updating what is included in the raw data (read: less data is included with every "chip" update as they call it). I called and verified that these are currently still included, but I can't make any promises that it will stay that way, so it is best to check with them before you check out.

    Here's an example of the HFE gene C282Y (risk allele A) on the 23andMe raw data browser:

    Because the genes present in this example are A / G, and A is the risk allele, this person would be heterozygous (one copy or a carrier) for C282Y.

    Here's an example of the HFE gene H63D (risk allele G):

    Because the genes present in this example are C / G, and G is the risk allele, this person would be heterozygous (one copy or a carrier) for H36D.

    This person is heterozygous for both C282Y and H63D HFE genes, so they classify as compound-heterozygous because they have one copy of both of the common iron overload genes.

    Order a 23andMe report right here for $99.

    Blood work: Requesting blood work through your naturopath or doctor is another essential step to determine your risk of iron overload, especially if you have the genes for it. Typically, you'll want an iron panel at the very least, which usually includes serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, and overall ferritin (or iron stores in the body), but your doctor might have other specifics, such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) in addition to give a bigger picture of your overall health, since some other health conditions can mimic the symptoms of iron overload.

    You can also order your own blood work here (about $48) if that is an easier option for you.

    I found the following forms helpful for interpreting your own iron panel results here and here, but it's always best to work your medical professional on this.

    How to reduce high iron levels

    If you find yourself with iron overload genes and/or high iron levels, you'll want to work carefully with your healthcare professional to monitor your iron over time and establish a plan to reduce and maintain optimal iron levels. Iron overload and hemochromatosis isn't something that you can ever be "cured" of, but you have to manage it for a lifetime by always keeping your iron levels in check. The most common ways to reduce iron levels over time are:

    • Blood donation at a frequency that correlates to your iron levels
    • Therapeutic phlebotomy (Rx prescribed bloodletting to donate blood more frequently)
    • Eat less iron from food like red meat and liver, although restricting your diet too much can cause other nutritional deficiencies, making blood donation the most common intervention
    • Avoid foods fortified with iron (most processed foods) and iron supplements, including iron-containing multivitamins
    • Use of supplements that are iron chelators such as curcumin and grape seed extract [7, 13]
    • Reduce or limit alcohol consumption, as alcohol increases iron absorption

    The more you know about your body in the ways of data by way of lab testing, hair analysis, and genetic testing, the more you can adjust your diet, supplements and lifestyle to support the best possible health for you. Having struggled with iron overload, undermethylation, hypermobility, and nutritional deficiencies myself, I don't know where'd I'd be without the knowledge and data to help me find my path to true health.

    Do you have hereditary hemochromatosis or high iron levels? Please share in the comments!

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    18 Signs of Iron Overload and Hereditary Hemochromatosis (plus, what tests you'll want to take) | Butter Nutrition

    18 Signs of Iron Overload and Hereditary Hemochromatosis (plus, what tests you'll want to take) | Butter Nutrition

    References:

    1. http://www.irondisorders.org/Websites/idi/files/Content/854256/HHC%20ALL2011.pdf
    2. http://www.irondisorders.org/Websites/idi/files/Content/854256/HHC%20FACT2010.pdf
    3. http://www.irondisorders.org/Websites/idi/files/Content/854256/Physician%20Chart%20phlebotomy%20detail2011.pdf
    4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11479183
    5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15266614
    6. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hematology/fellows/summer%20course/slides/Spivak_IronOverload%2007.27.12.pdf
    7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3821171/
    8. http://www.townsendletter.com/May2009/chelation0509.htm
    9. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/05/31/managing-iron-levels.aspx#_edn10
    10. https://chriskresser.com/iron-behaving-badly-the-role-of-iron-overload-in-metabolic-disease/
    11. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/05/elevated-iron-levels.aspx
    12. https://hemochromatosishelp.com/turmeric-benefit-for-hemochromatosis/
    13. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/hemochromatosis

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    About Catherine

    Hi there! I’m Catherine Crow. Seattle-based Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Educator, Diet Investigator, and Coconut Milk Ice Cream Enthusiast. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements. Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

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    1. Lynne kitchen

      November 29, 2017 at 7:32 am

      Thank you for sharing this! I discovered that insurance companies look at Ferritin and GGT levels when rating or denying life insurance !Mine was low but my husband who is a non drinker was 224 ! Since he's not a drinker I researched and found that iron levels are most likely the culprit . So we did blood donation and I'm also doing a lot of nutritional things to support detox of the liver . Everyone needs to know this info that you've shared! Again thank you! Health is wealth

      Reply
    2. Kieran

      December 11, 2017 at 6:02 am

      On the iron disorders site it says normal transferrin saturation is 25-35% and my iron panel just came back with and TS of 47% and this is after giving blood twice already, my ferritin is 90 though

      Reply
    3. Angela

      March 30, 2018 at 6:20 am

      My husband is finally getting getting diagnosed by a specialist. He is 55 and it has been 10 years of tests and monitoring of symptoms before ordering phlebotomies.

      Reply
    4. Katy Walsh

      February 17, 2019 at 6:17 pm

      Hi. I am 52, still get my periods monthly and I have experienced since 2013, extreme exhaustion, vertigo, chronic sore throat, extreme dry mouth among many other symptoms. I took 23 and me and I tested positive for 1 gene for Hemochromatosis-the H63D. My iron test came back high, but my ferritin is low. I also found out my sugar was high (does not make sense since I eat well, work out, etc), however, I cannot lose weight.
      I do not know what type of doctor to go to in order to feel well. I am petrified about my high iron, yet, with a ferritin if 13, I am afraid to give blood, Any advice on where to start? I thank you.

      Reply
      • Mak

        September 15, 2019 at 7:29 pm

        You should see a good Endocrinologist. They may be helpful.

        Reply
    5. Rob

      March 04, 2019 at 11:37 am

      I am 43 and, even though I am a healthy weight, exercise, and eat a relatively healthy diet my liver numbers have been quite high the last few years. They always attributed it to fatty liver and just told me to eat healthier and drink less. Around 40 I started having other symptoms. Joint pain, tendonitis, fatigue, etc. and I finally convinced my doctor to do more. My ferritin was over 700 and my liver numbers were high too. I got a 23 and me test done and I am heterozygous for H63D. I told my doctor this and she finally is willing to do more. I get my "official" genetic test this week and hope to start treatment soon. I am glad I caught it early.

      Reply
    6. Felice

      September 05, 2019 at 6:57 pm

      Thanks for this info. I have not had any tests as yet, but suspect high Fe levels because of symptoms. I have been eating raw spinach salads for many many years almost daily which I realize now could be part of the problem. QUESTION: has anyone heard of or experienced plupurae (purple-ish bluish spots on their skin? I was wondering if high Fe has been suspect in causing them? thank you.

      Reply
    7. Judy Miller

      July 10, 2020 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you for all your great knowledge. I've learned so much from your emails. You are the best. Judy miller

      Reply
      • Catherine

        July 10, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you Judy <3

        Reply
    8. Brittany

      August 08, 2022 at 10:22 pm

      Hi Catherine does low methylation contribute to high iron (in hair) low in blood?

      Reply
    9. Rachel

      September 14, 2022 at 6:31 am

      Could very heavy periods be a sign of iron overload?

      Reply
      • Pamela

        November 16, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        Heavy periods are a sign of low progesterone levels.

        Reply
    10. raina

      December 10, 2022 at 4:19 pm

      this was hugely helpful for me! thank you! I feel empowered by what you shared & ready get the data I need to take control of my wellbeing. Deeply grateful xx

      Reply
    11. steve schipper

      February 01, 2023 at 5:47 pm

      My wife is one of the rare ones with CDA Type II and has recently been found to have iron overload. Of course with a non iron deficiency anemia she cannot do the phlebotomy methods. The CDAs are not common but with not testing iron panels there is a good chance there could be more non iron deficiency anemias. In my family practice, where I am a MLT, the iron panels we run are almost always normal, even the ones run on women. Our providers tend to order anemia panels on those with variant HgB, but probably 95% of transferrins, retics and Foalte, Vb12 results are normal. I find the understanding of MCV results is becoming better but still not pursued by most providers.

      Reply

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