Cirrhosis of the liver can lead to liver cancer, which occurs in about 30 percent of male subjects who have cirrhosis due to hemochromatosis. Unfortunately, if hemochromatosis is diagnosed at this late stage, it doesn't respond to treatment as well because organs have already been damaged. However, if the diagnosis is made before cirrhosis develops, life expectancy is normal, and, with treatment, almost all other complications of iron overload can be reversed or stopped from progressing. In disorders like anemia for example, people don't have enough iron and need to take iron supplements. But too much iron can also be harmful.
Excess iron is toxic, causing organ damage.
Although uncommon, it is possible to be anemic and still have hemochromatosis. Normally we get 10 to 20 milligrams of iron a day in our diet. However, of that amount the body typically only absorbs 1 to 2 milligrams. The rest of the iron is not absorbed, and some is lost in any skin cells that are shed. Over decades, this iron accumulates in organs including the heart, liver, and pancreas.