hemochromatosis

noun he·mo·chro·ma·to·sis \ ˌhē-mə-ˌkrō-mə-ˈtō-səs \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of hemochromatosis

: a hereditary disorder of metabolism involving the deposition of iron-containing pigments in the tissues that is characterized especially by joint or abdominal pain, weakness, and fatigue and that may lead to bronzing of the skin, arthritis, diabetes, cirrhosis, or heart disease if untreated

Recent Examples of hemochromatosis from the Web

In interviews with the Statesman from the jail, Faucher said he was diagnosed in 2004 with hemochromatosis, a genetic illness that has weakened his body and robbed him of his mobility.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Father Faucher's fall from grace: Child porn charges mar a legacy of service," 3 June 2018
Undiagnosed hemochromatosis, for example, can lead to liver failure.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "What’s Behind Many Mystery Ailments? Genetic Mutations, Study Finds," 15 Mar. 2018
Yet hemochromatosis can be readily treated by having patients donate blood on a regular basis, which helps rid them of excess iron.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "What’s Behind Many Mystery Ailments? Genetic Mutations, Study Finds," 15 Mar. 2018
Liu’s team fixed this mistake in human cells and reversed one disease in the lab — hereditary hemochromatosis.

— maggie fox, NBC News, "New Gene Editing Systems Are More Precise," 25 Oct. 2017
One beneficiary is Pamela Richardson, a 60-year-old patient of Valley Community Healthcare in North Hollywood, Calif., who suffers from an iron absorption disorder called hereditary hemochromatosis.

— rachel bluth, Kaiser Health News, "Congress’ Cold Shoulder Sends Shivers Through Community Health Centers," 27 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hemochromatosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hemochromatosis

New Latin, from hem- + chromat- + -osis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1899

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary