Hemochromatosis is a condition caused by excessive absorption of iron and in most cases, it is inherited. It has been found that it mostly affects Caucasians. In the United States, approximately 5 in every 1,000 white people have the condition.
Hemochromatosis is a condition caused by excessive absorption of iron and in most cases, it is inherited. It has been found that it mostly affects Caucasians. In the United States, approximately 5 in every 1,000 white people have the condition.
However, some of these people are unaware that they have this condition. Family members of those with hemochromatosis should get tests performed as they may be unaware of the diagnosis. Although they have no symptoms, roughly 10% of white people carry one of the gene defects that are linked with hemochromatosis.
Symptoms of Hemochromatosis
Symptoms of hemochromatosis usually occur in men aged between 30 and 50 and in women aged over 50 and include the following:
- Joint pain, which is the most common symptom that is experienced by those with hemochromatosis
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Lack of energy
- Loss of sex drive
- Symptoms that are typically associated with heart disease and diabetes
There are some clinical manifestations of this condition, which include:
- Liver disease – 13% hepatomegaly; 13% cirrhosis, usually late in the disease
- Hyperpigmentation or skin bronzing – 70%
- Diabetes mellitus – 48%
- Hypogonadism, impotence, amenorrhea
- Arthropathy
- Cardiomyopathy
- Osteoporosis and osteopenia
- Spoon nails or koilonychias
- Hair loss
How is Hemochromatosis Diagnosed?
Blood tests, like a serum ferritin test or a transferrin saturation test, can be performed to determine whether there is an excessively high amount of iron stored in the body. Direct tests can also be done to find out if the defective gene is present in a person. Despite the prevalence of hemochromatosis and the fact there are simple tests for it, this condition is often undiagnosed and untreated.
There can be vague and diverse initial symptoms which can mimic the symptoms of a number of other diseases. Additionally, healthcare providers may focus on the conditions that hemochromatosis causes, like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and liver disease, rather than the underlying overload of iron in the body.
Undiagnosed Hemochromatosis and Malpractice Claims
If you suffer complications due to undiagnosed hemochromatosis, you may be eligible to take legal action against your doctor. You will need to prove that your doctor’s negligence in diagnosing the condition caused you harm and med to complications. You will need to get legal representation from an attorney experienced in medical malpractice cases in New York and there is no one better in this sport than RMFW Law.
Cases involving medical negligence are complex and can take a long time to investigate and resolve. Make sure that you hire a serious and credible law firm such as RMFW Law to represent you if you think that you have a viable case against your doctor.
Don’t make any assumptions either way until you have spoken with us.
Get Legal Expertise for Hemochromatosis in New York
If you or a loved one suffers from serious hemochromatosis complications brought on by medical negligence, you should immediately seek the help of the skilled and experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.
We have won millions of dollars for past clients, you too can be on this illustrious list. Call RMFW Law today! Yelling at the hospital staff is ill-advised, this is a legal matter now. There are certain protocols and you may need one of them on your side later on down the road. You know our number; call RMFW Law right now.
