Hyperpigmentation Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Hyperpigmentation and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Development of Iron Overload The amount of time needed for iron to increase to levels causing organ damage is variable and may be partially dependent on gender, dietary or other environmental factors, and unknown genetic factors. Blood loss through menstruation and pregnancy are thought to delay the onset of iron overload, and therefore symptoms of HH, in women. Similarly, regular blood donation may confer some degree of protection. The loss of hemoglobin within intact erythrocytes reduces the amount of iron available for recycling.As levels of storage iron increase, clinical features of iron overload, including hepatic dysfunction or failure, diabetes, hypogonadism, arthritis, cardiomyopathy, hyperpigmentation, and fatigue, may become evident.Symptomatic patients typically present in middle age between the ages of 30 and 60, although this is quite variable. Persons as young as 20 may show clinical signs and symptoms of HH.(6) In the US, males are more than twice as likely as females to be diagnosed with HH, and the majority of cases are found in Caucasians. | View Page |
| General Clinical Considerations Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is frequently discovered only during management of associated illness or routine health evaluations. It has been estimated that only a small percentage of all affected persons are actually diagnosed. Individuals with HH may be symptomatic for several years prior to diagnosis and may have consulted multiple health care providers.Under-diagnosis of HH is thought to occur due to:• Lack of specificity of early signs and symptoms• Asymptomatic status of some patients until damage to organs and tissues has occurred• Confusion with liver disease due to other causes• Insufficient awareness and knowledge of HHEarly identification of persons with HH is essential to prevent serious and irreversible complications associated with severe iron overload. A classic triad of skin hyperpigmentation (bronzing), type 2 diabetes, and hepatic cirrhosis has long been recognized as evidence of advanced iron overload. However, persons with HH may present with a much wider variety of signs and symptoms, particularly if they are seen before significant iron accumulation has occurred. Age of presentation and disease severity are highly variable. A diagnosis of HH is based on laboratory evidence of iron overload, genetic mutations associated with HH, and presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with HH.(10) | View Page |