Hemochromatosis

The human body has no built-in mechanism for excreting excess iron, causing it to accumulate in organs and joints and produce progressive damage. Elevated systemic iron increases susceptibility to infection because many pathogens use iron as fuel for growth. Iron overload produces a wide array of systemic symptoms beyond joint pain, progressing to affect multiple organ systems. Iron is particularly destructive to the pancreas, contributing to insulin resistance and diabetes. Hemochromatosis can arise from genetic predisposition, dietary excess, blood transfusions, or liver dysfunction.