Hemochromatosis

If you potentially have hemochromatosis, your healthcare provider will:

• Ask if your parents ever had iron overload, liver disease or other related diseases.
• Ask if you take iron supplements, by mouth or injection.
• Ask if you take extra vitamin C, which can boost absorption of iron.
• Check your joints for pain.
• Listen to your heart for an irregular beat.
• Look at your skin to see if the color is off.
• Press near your liver to test for pain.

What tests might I need for hemochromatosis?

Your healthcare provider may order:

• Blood tests to measure how much iron is in your blood and your organs.
• Genetic testing to see if you have the inherited form of hemochromatosis.
• Liver biopsy, when a small needle removes a tiny bit of liver tissue for study under a microscope.
• MRI to take detailed pictures of your organs.