Diabetes como manifestación inicial de Hemocromatosis Hereditaria

Abstract

Diabetes as an initial manifestation of Hereditary Hemochromatosis. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an inherited disorder of iron metabolism. It is one of the most common autosomal recessive conditions. In patients with HH the amount of iron absorbed by the intestines is increased, which may lead to excess iron being deposited in different organs of the body, causing organ dysfunction. The frequency of diabetes is increased in HH. A clinical diagnosis of HH can often be established on the basis of blood tests (transferrin saturation index and serum ferritin level), however, a liver biopsy to determine the amount of iron in the liver is often required to confi rm tissue iron overload. The diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis before iron overload has developed is diffi cult. However, doctors need to have a higher awareness of HH because with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, survival of patients is normal.