Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is an inheritable condition that mainly affects White populations of European descent. Most patients remain asymptomatic, but others develop advanced organ damage that reduces quality of life and long-term survival. Arthropathy, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and cardiomyopathy are key clinical manifestations. Primary care and hospital medicine physicians play an essential role in early identification of this disease, which can be accomplished via standard hematologic testing. Early diagnosis and therapeutic phlebotomy improve clinical outcomes.