Hemochromatosis

/ˌhɛmoʊˌkroʊməˈtoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

A disease in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron in organs like the heart, liver, and pancreas, causing damage.

Etymology

From 'hemo-' (blood), 'chroma-' (color, from Greek 'chroma'), and '-osis' (condition); named because excess iron gives tissues a bronze or darker color.

Kelly Says

Hemochromatosis is sometimes called 'iron overload disease'—ironically, while too much iron is deadly, people with sickle cell disease or thalassemia often need iron transfusions, showing how delicate the balance is!

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