When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Hemochromatosis

Última revisão: 13 Dec 2025
Última atualização: 19 Nov 2024

Resumo

Definição

História e exame físico

Principais fatores diagnósticos

  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • lethargy
  • arthralgias
  • hepatomegaly
  • diabetes mellitus
  • impotence in males
  • amenorrhea
  • loss of libido
  • skin pigmentation
Detalhes completos

Outros fatores diagnósticos

  • congestive heart failure
  • arrhythmias
  • porphyria cutanea tarda
Detalhes completos

Fatores de risco

  • middle age
  • male sex
  • white ancestry
  • family history
  • supplemental iron
Detalhes completos

Investigações diagnósticas

Primeiras investigações a serem solicitadas

  • serum transferrin saturation
  • serum ferritin
Detalhes completos

Investigações a serem consideradas

  • HFE mutation analysis
  • serum-based fibrosis tests/transient elastography
  • MRI liver
  • liver biopsy
  • LFTs
  • fasting blood sugar
  • echocardiogram
  • ECG
  • MRI heart and other organs
  • testosterone, FSH, and LH assays
  • bone densitometry
Detalhes completos

Algoritmo de tratamento

CONTÍNUA

stage 0 disease (C282Y homozygous)

stage 1 disease (C282Y homozygous)

stage 2, 3, or 4 disease (C282Y homozygous)

not C282Y homozygous

Colaboradores

Autores

Kyle E. Brown, MD, Msc, FAASLD

Professor of Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Professor of Radiation Oncology

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Iowa City

IA

Declarações

KEB declares that she has no competing interests.

Agradecimentos

Dr Kyle E. Brown would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Rebecca Fischer Connor, the previous contributor to this topic. RFC declares that she has no competing interests.

Revisores

Pierre Brissot, MD

Professor of Medicine and Chief of Liver Disease Department

University Hospital Pontchaillou

Rennes

France

Disclosures

PB declares that he has no competing interests.

William E. Cayley, MD MDiv

Associate Professor

Department of Family Medicine

University of Wisconsin

Madison

WI

Disclosures

WEC declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Haute Autorité de Santé (France). Management of patients with HFE-related haemochromatosis (type 1 haemochromatosis). Jul 2005 [internet publication].Full text

Kowdley KV, Brown KE, Ahn J, et al. ACG clinical guideline: hereditary hemochromatosis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2019 Aug;114(8):1202-18.Full text  Abstract

European Association for the Study of the Liver. EASL clinical practice guidelines on haemochromatosis. J Hepatol. 2022 Aug;77(2):479-502.Full text  Abstract

Bacon BR, Adams PC, Kowdley KV, et al. Diagnosis and management of hemochromatosis: 2011 practice guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2011 Jul;54(1):328-43.Full text  Abstract

Fitzsimons EJ, Cullis JO, Thomas DW, et al. Diagnosis and therapy of genetic haemochromatosis (review and 2017 update). Br J Haematol. 2018 May;181(3):293-303.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Differentials

    • Iron overload from chronic transfusion
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hepatitis C
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Clinical practice guidelines on haemochromatosis
    • ACG clinical guideline: hereditary hemochromatosis
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Diabetes type 2: should I take insulin?

    Diabetes type 2: what are the treatment options?

    More Patient information
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer