Is there non-hereditary (not inherited) hemochromatosis?

From the Guidelines

Yes, there is non-hereditary hemochromatosis, which can occur due to various medical conditions or treatments that lead to iron overload, rather than genetic factors. According to the EASL clinical practice guidelines on haemochromatosis 1, transferrin saturation can also be increased in patients with advanced cirrhosis, low transferrin, acute liver failure, and acute liver injury, which may be confused with a predisposition to haemochromatosis. Some key points to consider include:

• Secondary hemochromatosis can develop without genetic factors, often due to other medical conditions or treatments that cause iron overload
• Common causes of secondary hemochromatosis include multiple blood transfusions, certain types of anemia, chronic liver disease, and excessive iron supplementation
• The body's inability to efficiently eliminate excess iron leads to accumulation in organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas, causing damage over time
• Treatment for secondary hemochromatosis focuses on addressing the underlying cause while removing excess iron through therapeutic phlebotomy or iron chelation therapy Key considerations for diagnosis and treatment, as outlined in the guidelines 1, emphasize the importance of correct diagnosis, adequate treatment, and appropriate follow-up to prevent complications in patients with haemochromatosis.

From the FDA Drug Label

1. 3 Limitations of Use Deferoxamine mesylate for injection is not indicated for the treatment of primary hemochromatosis (since phlebotomy is the method of choice for removing excess iron in this disorder)

The question asks about non-hereditary hemochromatosis. The provided text only mentions primary hemochromatosis, which is often associated with hereditary causes.

• There is no direct information about non-hereditary hemochromatosis in the provided text.
• The text does mention transfusional iron overload as a condition treated by deferoxamine, which could be considered a form of non-hereditary iron overload, but it does not explicitly state that this is a form of non-hereditary hemochromatosis.
• Therefore, based on the provided text, no conclusion can be drawn about the existence of non-hereditary hemochromatosis 2.

From the Research

Non-Hereditary Hemochromatosis

• Non-hereditary hemochromatosis, also known as secondary hemochromatosis, can occur due to various acquired states and factors, such as transfusional hemosiderosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, and porphyria cutanea tarda 3.
• Secondary forms of iron overload can lead to iron accumulation in the reticuloendothelial system, which can eventually produce a picture indistinguishable from hereditary hemochromatosis 3.
• Iron overload may also be secondary to other diseases, such as thalassemia and other conditions requiring multiple long-term blood transfusions 4.
• Abnormal iron study results in patients with nonhereditary hemochromatosis genotypes can commonly lead to a misdiagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis and inappropriate treatment with phlebotomy 5.
• Secondary hemochromatosis has different patient care considerations compared to primary (hereditary) hemochromatosis, and treatment and education must be adjusted accordingly to deliver successful outcomes 6.

Causes and Characteristics

• Non-hereditary hemochromatosis can be caused by excessive intake of iron, such as through multiple blood transfusions 6.
• The iron overload syndrome can be associated with various acquired states, including chronic liver diseases 5.
• Secondary hemochromatosis can lead to life-threatening complications, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, if left untreated 7.
• The pathogenesis of non-hereditary hemochromatosis is not fully elucidated, but recent reports indicate that the protein hepcidin plays a key role in the development of hemochromatosis 4.