This problem can occur with fairly low iron concentration and usually in young adults. Once the iron overload is decreased, this problem usually resolves. Arthritis usually affects the hands especially the second and third metacarpophlangeal joints. In haemachromatosis there is a slow accumulation of iron throughout the lifetime. In the early stages the iron accumulation is silent and only when the iron reaches toxic levels long term tissue injury is sustained.
Early symptoms remain insidious i.e. lethargy and fatigue.
It still remains uncertain the role of diet in haemochromatosis, certainly a low iron diet is impossible and fresh iron intake is required daily for normal bodily processes to take place. The most available form of iron is meat which is absorbed extremely well into the system. Alcohol and Vitamin C enhances iron uptake. Heterozygous individuals tend to accumulate higher iron stores than the normal population but it is believed that they do not sustain the tissue injury as the homozygote sufferer. The treatment for haemochromatosis in Australia remains to be by venesection.