The month of July is National Hemocromatosis Awareness and Screening Month. Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder which causes people to absorb extra iron from their diet. Because the body has no efficient way to excrete iron, excess iron builds up in the liver, heart, pancreas, pituitary, and joints.

According to the Iron Disorders Institute, an advocacy organization for people with iron disorders, body organs with excessive iron eventually fail to function and disease or premature death occurs. Excess iron levels can be reduced by removing blood through blood donations and chelation therapy using special medicines.

Chronic fatigue and joint pain are among the first and most common symptoms reported by people with hemochromatosis. Subsequent symptoms and findings may include abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythm, loss of period loss of interest in sex, hair loss, and skin color changes.