Hemochromatosis Support Group
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.
Can hemochromatosis cause muscle weakness? I've been diagnosed but have not had an appointment yet with a hematologist.
I've been experiencing muscle weakness in my arms and I'm wondering if this could be associated
Pain (joint muscle and body pain) and fatigue are common symptoms of HH - you will find this on many websites. I regularly check http://haemochromatosis.org.uk; http://haemochromatosis.org.au; http://www.hemochromatosishelp.com: and http://www.irondisorders.org.
I have lost some muscle strength, probably because my bones have degenerated and I get less exercise but I am not sure whether this would have happened with my muscles anyway - I am homozygous (C282Y) for HH diagnosed a couple of years after the menopause. I find it a little harder to open jars and carry really heavy things, but the difference is not great
Just prior to diagnosis I did tear a calf muscle without much effort and I have often wondered if there was a relationship between my iron levels and the ease with which this happened. At around the same time I had problems with frequent cramps in my calves particularly when I was asleep - I would wake up with terrible cramps. As my ferritin levels went down, the cramps abated. I also had problems lying on my side - my upper arms would hurt so I slept on my back a lot, which is not my preference. Again, this abated when my ferritin levels went down and I am sleeping on my side without difficulty again.
A couple of years prior to diagnosis I sprained my ankle and then did the same thing a year later. I have read on this site that people with HH often have problems with their ankles.
So the answer to your question is yes. I suggest you keep a diary of your symptoms and your responses to treatment. It is easy to muddle up the order of things and / or forget important things a couple of years later so you may find it helpful to keep a diary. You will probably find that patterns emerge over time. I have learnt a lot from this site and when I look back, I can see that HH was probably the cause of quite a few difficulties.
All the best, Christine