Bronze diabetes

Bronze diabetes is a term used to describe a condition where the skin becomes bronze in color due to the accumulation of iron in the body. This condition is also known as hemochromatosis, a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from the food consumed. The excess iron is stored in the body's tissues and organs, particularly the skin, heart, and liver.

Causes

Bronze diabetes is primarily caused by hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder characterized by excessive iron absorption. This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bronze diabetes are similar to those of diabetes mellitus, including excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. However, bronze diabetes also presents with additional symptoms such as skin darkening or bronzing, joint pain, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bronze diabetes involves a series of tests including blood tests to measure iron levels, liver function tests, and genetic testing to identify mutations in the HFE gene, which is commonly associated with hereditary hemochromatosis.

Treatment

Treatment for bronze diabetes primarily involves reducing the amount of iron in the body. This is typically achieved through a process called phlebotomy, where blood is regularly removed from the body. In severe cases, iron chelation therapy may be used to remove excess iron.

See also

• Diabetes mellitus
• Hemochromatosis
• Iron overload