G150 Structure and Function of the Human Body
Final Project: Paper Outline Template

Use this template as a guide for writing your outline. Please provide a brief description for each section.
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I. Introduction - Topic Sentence/Thesis Statement (State disease/disorder)
Hemochromatosis causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. The excess iron is then stored in your organs, mainly the liver. The excess iron then poisons the organ because there is a large quantity (Mayo Clinic).

A. Hereditary hemochromatosis is caused by a mutation in a gene that controls the amount of iron the body absorbs from the food that is consumed (Mayo Clinic). B. Excess iron that is absorbed is stored in major organs, such as the liver. Too much of the iron is toxic, over time it can damage the organ. Damage to the organ leads to failure (Mayo Clinic). C. Healthy individuals absorb about 10 percent of the iron contained in the food they eat. People with hemochromatosis absorb about 30 percent of iron from the food consumed. Overtime, it’s about five to twenty times more iron then the body actually needs (NDDIC).

II. Body A. Organ systems (Hemochromatosis affects the main organs of the body. There are quite a few methods for which how it can be diagnosed.

1. A liver biopsy can be done. This diagnosis consists of extracting a tiny piece of liver tissue and its then examined with a microscope. The biopsy will then demonstrate the amount of iron that has accumulated within and to determine if the liver has yet been damaged (NDDIC). 2. Another test that can be done is a total iron binding capacity test that allows you to find the total amount of iron that is in the body. This will tell how well your blood can transport iron. The serum ferritin test shows the levels of iron in the liver. If the levels are higher then normal, a test will be done to find any mutation genes, and therefore can diagnose hereditary hemochromatosis (NDDIC). 3. Hemochromatosis is considered rare; doctors are not likely to test for this. The initial symptoms are often considered to mimic other disease. There are causes of hemochromatosis as well, such as arthritis, liver disease, heart disease and diabetes, rather then an overload of iron. However if the iron overload is caused just by hemochromatosis, then its treated before organ damage. (NDDIC). B. Functions of organ systems (The Liver) The liver is quite the organ of the body that has many functions that all play together.

1. The liver regulates chemical levels in the blood, it also excretes a chemical called bile, this helps break down fat. The liver is very important because all of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver (Anatomy and Function of the Liver). 2. This process helps to breakdown nutrients and other particles into smaller parts, which helps make it easier on the body (Anatomy and Function of the Liver). 3. When the liver has broken down harmful substances, they are excreted into the bile or blood. They are then broken down and moved into the intestines, which are eventually emptied out in feces. (Anatomy and Function of the Liver). C. How disease/disorder is contracted or how it develops There are two types of Hemochromatosis, both of which have slight differences in them, by how they are caused. 1. Primary hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in the genes that controls how much iron is absorbed from the food. This type is often hereditary or the type that most people get (NIH). 2. Depending on the genes, HFE genes are primarily related to primary hemochromatosis. Mutated HFE genes cause an over absorption of iron. If you inquire two faulty genes from each parent, the likely hood of hemochromatosis is much higher (NIH). 3. Secondary hemochromatosis is usually the result of another disease or condition that causes iron overload. Such as anemia, this can affect the iron count that is consumed. Chronic liver disease is closely related to secondary hemochromatosis. (NIH). D. Symptoms of disease/disorder - repeat formatting above 1) Symptoms of hemochromatosis usually don’t show until middle age. Women tend to show signs of fatigue, which is tiredness. While men tend to show signs of diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver (NIH). 2) Signs of hemochromatosis can vary, due to the severity of the disease. But, common signs do include joint pain, weakness, weight loss, pain and fatigue (NIH). 3) Some estimates suggest that as many as half of all people with a form of hemochromatosis do not show any signs or have any symptoms (NIH). E. Treatments for the disease disorder - repeat formatting above (all from NIH source) 1) There are goals to be set in place for treatment purposes 1. Reduce the amount of iron in the body, keep at normal levels. 2. Prevent or delay organ damage from iron overload. 3. Treat the complications 2) Therapeutic phlebotomy is a treatment that removed blood from the body, which helps to remove blood and iron. The blood and iron is emptied into a bag. With this treatment, it’s for life, and does require routine blood checks. 3) Iron chelation therapy uses medicine to remove excess iron, this is a recommended treatment for those without routine blood removal. 4) A big treatment is dietary changes. F. Prevention methods for the disease/disorder (if any) and risk factors - repeat formatting above 1) There is no way you can really avoid primary or secondary hemochromatosis. Its suggested to get routine blood checks, keep a considerable diet, follow all treatment plans. III. Conclusion - Summarize your findings. Repeat formatting detailed above, if necessary a. The outlook for those who have hemochromatosis can be a positive one if the individual stays strong and diligent with treatments and dietary means. Early diagnosis is always a good thing, which means there is less damage, less to fix. b. Continuous treatment can help to further organ life and ultimately further you to stay healthy and to focus.

IV. References - list in alphabetical order

"Anatomy and Function of the Liver." Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford LPCH: Northern California Children's Hospital . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

"Hemochromatosis - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

" Hemochromatosis - National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse." Home - National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

"What Causes Hemochromatosis? - NHLBI, NIH." NIH Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .