Night sweats: it may be hemochromatosis.
The aim of this case report is to show that hemochromatosis can present, unusually, with night sweats. At presentation, hemochromatosis often tends to have non-specific symptoms, making it easy to misdiagnose, especially if it presents with rare symptoms. Misdiagnosis of hemochromatosis can lead to lethal outcomes, given it can cause multiple organ dysfunctions if left untreated and hence the need to identify it early on. The case we present is a 41-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed hemochromatosis complaining of night sweats. She thought she was menopausal. The diagnosis of hemochromatosis was made solely on investigations given that she did not have any other symptoms other than night sweats. Her serum iron concentrations were within the normal range due to menstruation. It is uncommon for women to present with symptoms of hemochromatosis during their reproductive life since their iron concentration is kept within normal range through monthly menstrual bleeding.
a Final Year Medical Student , Monash University , Clayton Campus , Victoria , Australia ;
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Murday
b Gastroenterologist , Centre for GI Health , Berwick , Victoria , Australia ;
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Rusli
c General Practitioner, Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Jean Hailes Medical Centre , Clayton , Victoria , Australia ;
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Blandy
d Head, Gynaecology, Monash Health and Deputy Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Monash University , Monash IVF , Clayton , Victoria , Australia.
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Vollenhoven
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*
D007501:Iron
Hemochromatosis; flushing; iron deposition; iron overload; night sweats; sweat glands