What causes organ damage in hemochromatosis?

What causes organ damage in hemochromatosis?

• A. Iron overload.
• B. Vitamin deficiency.
• C. Autoimmune disease.
• D. Dehydration.

Answer: (A)

Iron overload causes organ damage. In hemochromatosis, genetic changes lead to increased intestinal iron absorption, so iron builds up in organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas. Once storage capacity is exceeded, iron participates in harmful redox reactions that generate reactive oxygen species. This oxidative stress damages cell membranes, proteins, and DNA, provoking inflammation and progressive fibrosis that impair organ function. Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune processes, or dehydration don’t drive this iron-related tissue injury in hemochromatosis.

Iron overload causes organ damage. In hemochromatosis, genetic changes lead to increased intestinal iron absorption, so iron builds up in organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas. Once storage capacity is exceeded, iron participates in harmful redox reactions that generate reactive oxygen species. This oxidative stress damages cell membranes, proteins, and DNA, provoking inflammation and progressive fibrosis that impair organ function. Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune processes, or dehydration don’t drive this iron-related tissue injury in hemochromatosis.