| • | presents fifth decade (think of the diagnosis in a 40 year old with unexplained liver disease) |
pathogenesis:
| • | increased intestinal iron absorption leads to iron overload and deposition in a variety of organs |
| • | presumably females are less likely to be affected given natural iron loss with menstruation |
clinical:
| • | generalized metallic-grey hyperpigmentation (bronze??) |
| • | koilonychia (I thought this was associated with iron deficiency anemia) |
| • | hepatomegaly, polyarthritis, IDDM |
| • | may precipitate acquired PCT or unmask inherited form |
| • | ddx (of generalized hyperpigmentation?): Addison’s disease, Wilson’s disease, argyria |
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