About
the Radboudumc center of expertise
Your body needs iron, especially for the production and proper functioning of red blood cells. We get iron through our diet, and in healthy people there is a balance between the absorption of iron and iron loss. If you have hemochromatosis, this balance is disturbed and your body absorbs more iron than it needs. This build-up of iron can lead to irreparable damage to the liver, and in the long run to problems in your pancreas, joints, skin, heart, and thyroid. Hemochromatosis can be hereditary and occur from birth (primary), but can also be a result of another disease (secondary). Iron deficiency causes anemia. You will then have too few red blood cells (or they will work incorrectly). Anemia may make you feel tired, dizzy, faint or short of breath.
Expertise
Radboudumc’s center of expertise in iron metabolic diseases specializes in the care of both child and adult patients with iron metabolic diseases. We offer top care during diagnosis and treatment, and we are also a leader in research. We apply our research findings into creating new diagnostics and treatment processes.
The center of expertise in iron metabolic diseases is acknowledged as a center of expertise by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.