Hemochromatosis and Ferroportin Disease (Type 4 Hemochromatosis)
Hemochromatosis is a group of inherited disorders characterized by excessive iron absorption. Because the body has no effective way to eliminate excess iron, it gradually accumulates in organs such as the liver, heart, pancreas, and joints, potentially causing cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, and other complications. Iron dysregulation may also contribute to COVID-19 severity. A study of 32 patients found that worsening respiratory disease was associated with altered iron metabolism, including changes in hepcidin, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) . NTBI is potentially toxic because it can promote reactive oxygen species and oxidative tissue damage. COVID-19 → inflammation/hepcidin disruption → abnormal iron regulation → toxic free iron (NTBI) → oxidative stress → tissue damage. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35545998 Normal Iron Regulation Iron balance is tightly controlled by the hormone hepcidin , which is produced by the liver. Hepci...