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Often described as ‘bronze diabetes’ haemochromatosis is a genetic or inherited health condition. Although data from India is inadequate, global estimates put the prevalence rate at around 8.1 percent. Haemochromatosis was described as bronze diabetes in the 1800s because of the characteristic golden-brown discoloration of the skin and the development of diabetes because of damage to the pancreas. However, haemochromatosis and diabetes are separate conditions and haemochromatosis isn’t just a type of diabetes. To answer the question ‘can hemochromatosis cause diabetes?’, the short answer is ‘yes’. It is not a diabetes complication but is a genetic condition that can increase the risk of diabetes.
What is Haemochromatosis?
In haemochromatosis levels of iron in the body start to build up as the body absorbs excessive amounts of dietary iron that it then stores in tissues and organs, including the skin, liver, heart, and pancreas. This excess iron cannot be excreted from the body, leading to an iron overload, which can cause organ and tissue damage over time. The condition is often asymptomatic in the early stages, but as damage increases over time, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight loss
- Joint pain or arthralgia
- Hepatomegaly or liver enlargement
- Skin pigmentation or bronzing
- Cardiomyopathy
- Impotence
- Missing menstrual periods
- Low testosterone levels
- Diabetes
Symptoms typically begin to develop between the ages of 30 to 50 years, but can also surface earlier. Although diabetes is just one of many clinical manifestations or symptoms of haemochromatosis, it has a high prevalence rate, affecting nearly 50 percent of those diagnosed with haemochromatosis. This is why it’s important to be aware of the risk and to diagnose hemochromatosis and diabetes before symptoms develop.
How Is Haemochromatosis Diagnosed
A family history of the condition is the most obvious warning sign of haemochromatosis, but the condition can be diagnosed or ruled out with some simple tests. Blood tests can be used to measure iron levels in blood, iron stored in the body, and the presence of genes linked to haemochromatosis. In case of haemochromatosis, further tests will be recommended to detect organ damage, primarily to the liver.
The Link Between Haemochromatosis & Diabetes
Much of the excess iron that accumulates because of haemochromatosis ends up being stored in organs, including the pancreas. Over time this causes damage to the pancreas, impairing the ability to produce insulin. With a reduction in insulin production, glucose metabolism is adversely affected and blood glucose or sugar levels rise, resulting in diabetes. This is described as secondary diabetes, resulting from haemochromatosis. If you have been diagnosed with haemochromatosis and notice any of these symptoms it could be a warning sign of diabetes:
- Increased thirst
- Greater frequency of urination
- Fatigue and weakness
- Unintentional weight loss
- Frequent yeast infections or oral thrush
- Delayed wound healing
- Blurring of vision
What You Can Do To Prevent Diabetes
Although nearly half of all individuals with haemochromatosis go on to develop diabetes, this is not inevitable. As is the case with any complication, treating haemochromatosis early is the most effective way to prevent diabetes. Treatment involves a variety of approaches to lower iron levels in the body such as phlebotomy (removing some amount of blood from the body) and chelation therapy (use of medications to draw iron out of the body).
In addition to treating haemochromatosis medically, doctors will recommend a diet for hemochromatosis and diabetes, as well as lifestyle changes that can lower the risk of diabetes. This would mean eating a healthy balanced diet dominated by whole foods and low in haem iron (from red meat and organ meats) and processed foods, increasing levels of physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and cutting back on stress.
