Most often the signs and symptoms for iron overload disorder referred to as hemochromatosis, is mild. These days it is quite unlikely for individuals affected by the disorder to exhibit the symptoms since diagnosis happens in the early stages even before the onset of the disorder.

However, as the iron overload disorder progresses, the symptoms that could occur at different stages include

• Abdominal pain,
• Menstruation hindered in women,
• High levels of blood sugar,
• A low function of the thyroid, or hypothyroidism,
• Increased loss of sex drive or libido, and impotence in men,
• Size reduction of the testicles,
• Skin becoming a little bronzed in color, like a permanent suntan,
• Fatigue or persistent tiredness,
• Weakness, and
• Loss of weight.

Some of the complications that can develop alongside the symptoms of iron overload disorder are

• Arthritis,
• Liver cirrhosis,
• Enlarged liver,
• Diabetes,
• Heart ailments or disease, and
• Pancreatitis.

Close to 75% of the individuals who are diagnosed with iron overload disorder and start to exhibit the symptoms tend to have liver functioning that is abnormal. More than 75% of affected individuals tend to experience lethargy and tiredness, 44% exhibit joint pain, and 70% have discoloring of the skin to a bronze shade.

How is iron overload disorder diagnosed?
This is one of the complicated disorders to diagnose just based on the exhibition of symptoms because all of the symptoms of this disorder are quite common to a wide variety of diseases. Usually, the general physicians refer the individual suspected of iron overload to a hepatologist (the liver specialists) or a cardiologist (the heart specialists). There are diagnostic tests available to ascertain the iron overload disorder, and two blood tests can detect this disorder in its early stages even before the onset of symptoms.

• Serum transfer saturation
  One of the proteins responsible for carrying iron in the blood is transferrin. This particular blood test measures exactly this protein and the amount of iron that is bound to it. Saturation levels that are above 45% are considered to be high.
• Serum ferritin
  This blood test will measure the iron amounts that are stored in the blood. Serum ferritin levels are measured as part of the diagnosis as well as to keep track of the patient’s progress during the treatment phase.

Both these tests are used to confirm the iron overload disorder, and there are even cases where the physician may ask you to repeat the tests in order to confirm the diagnosis as there might be overlaps with certain diseases or conditions, which may be showing false hikes in the ferritin levels. However, these diagnostic tests are not usually prescribed or recommended if the individual does not have a family history of iron overload disorder. Some of the other related signs and symptoms which may be reasons for prescribing this test include – diabetes, liver enzyme levels were elevated, extreme tiredness, heart disease or ailments.