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What is Bronze Diabetes?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Bronze diabetes is a genetic disorder caused by an overstorage of iron in the body which leads to organ damage, including damage to the pancreas which ultimately causes the patient to develop diabetes. This condition is more formally known as iron overload disease or hemochromatosis, with diabetes being viewed as a complication of the disease. The genetic variation which causes hemochromatosis is actually extremely common, occurring in around one in 200 to 300 people, but the condition is diagnosed much more rarely due to decreased awareness.
Patients with this condition start to accumulate iron at high levels in their bodies. Over time, the iron starts to build up in the internal organs such as the liver and pancreas. Damage to the pancreas will cause diabetes if the condition is not diagnosed in time. The skin often acquires a gray to brown tint, explaining the “bronze” in bronze diabetes. Patients can also develop fatigue, joint pain, and a generalized lack of energy.
If hemochromatosis is diagnosed early, it can be treated with phlebotomy sessions over the course of months or years to remove excess iron from the body. Once the patient's iron storage level is stable and within normal levels, he or she will require periodic phlebotomy sessions to literally bleed off excess iron. If hemochromatosis progresses into bronze diabetes, the patient will need more aggressive treatment. In addition to causing diabetes, the condition can also lead to cirrhosis and a number of cancers caused by damage to the internal organs.
Research has suggested that many diabetic patients actually have hemochromatosis, and they should be treated for this condition in addition to the diabetes. Hemochromatosis-related diabetes can be challenging to treat if the underlying iron storage problem is not addressed, because the patient will develop additional complications. Ultimately, a patient with bronze diabetes can die as a result of the damage caused by the excess iron in the body.
A doctor can diagnose hemochromatosis by taking a blood test. In a patient with a suspected case of bronze diabetes, the doctor can evaluate iron storage levels in addition to the patient's levels of insulin. If treatment is provided early enough, it may reverse the progress of the diabetes. If damage is more extensive, the patient may require additional diabetes treatment for this condition, and he or she will need to be carefully monitored for life for any signs of emerging complications.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
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![Symptoms of bronze diabetes may include fatigue.]()
By: Brian JacksonSymptoms of bronze diabetes may include fatigue. -
![Symptoms of bronze diabetes may include joint pain.]()
By: NobiliorSymptoms of bronze diabetes may include joint pain. -
![Phlebotomy may be used to treat bronze diabetes if diagnosed early.]()
By: Tim URPhlebotomy may be used to treat bronze diabetes if diagnosed early. -
![Bronze diabetes is a health disorder caused by an overstorage of iron which will eventually lead to organ damage.]()
By: nerthuzBronze diabetes is a health disorder caused by an overstorage of iron which will eventually lead to organ damage. -
![Bronze diabetes can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.]()
By: peterjunaidyBronze diabetes can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
Discussion Comments
@SteamLouis-- Actually, bronze diabetes is not very uncommon. There is just not much awareness about it and it is under-diagnosed. I remember reading that it is the most common fatal genetic disorder. So when it goes untreated, it causes serious damage which can lead to death.
It is very easy to diagnose this condition. I find it sad that it's under-diagnosed. So many people could have lived longer, healthier lives had theirs been diagnosed quickly and treated.
I had never heard of this type of diabetes before. Does anyone here suffer from this condition? Or do you know someone who has it? What are the phlebotomy sessions like?
I doubt that many diabetic patients have hemochromatosis. It's a rare genetic disorder. Although diabetes is common, diabetes is genetic too and is also caused by environmental factors like poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Diabetics who are receiving treatment also have to have regular check ups to make sure that all is well with their blood glucose. A diabetic should also get a routine blood test to check other components in the blood. So I think that if a diabetic has hemochromatosis, it will be recognized quickly because of the abnormal iron levels in test results.
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