There are many types of metabolism disorders. They are caused by abnormal chemical reactions in the body that disrupts the process the body has for metabolizing food. This brings about an imbalance of the substances your need to stay healthy. Many times metabolism, or metabolic, disorders are hereditary but they can also develop when yorgans, such as your liver, pancreas, or kidneys, become diseased. Diabetes is one example of a disorder of metabolism.
Lipids, or fats, store the energy of the body. They are constantly broken down and built back up as the body needs them. Lipid metabolism disorders occur when the enzymes that break down and process fats are either not present or do not work correctly. In disorders of lipid metabolism, lipids are not broken down correctly and they accumulate in the body. This can be harmful to many organs in the body (MerckManuals.com, 2011).
Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrate metabolism disorders are either acquired or inherited. Acquired types such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia are most common. These types affect the central nervous system and many are variants of peripheral nerve disease found in diabetes. Inherited metabolism disorders seem to be due to point mutations and are and inherited by recessive traits (MedScape.com, 2011).
Disorders of Iron Metabolism
Rare genetic metabolic disorders such as hypotransferrinemia, atransferrinemia, and aceruloplasminemia can lead to an iron overload. If left untreated, an iron overload can cause progressive damage to the liver, heart, and endocrine glands. This may even lead to premature death. Many times symptoms are not noticed and diagnosis is delayed. By the time the condition is discovered, there is already damage to the tissues of the heart or liver.
At-risk patients are those who have had a family history of iron metabolism disorder and those who have had several blood transfusions. These patients should be screened for an iron overload. Whether acquired or inherited, iron overload can cause the following complications:
- Cardiac Complications – angina, conduction defects, and pericarditis may result
- Hepatic Complications – portal fibrosis and liver cirrhosis is possible
- Skeletomuscular damage – Osteoporosis is most common, but disabling myalgia and severe muscle cramps may also occur
- Compromise of immune function – increase susceptibility to infections occurs and usually with unusual microorganisms
- Skin pigmentation – People that are fair skin often don’t have skin color changes, however people with a moderate baseline of pigment will often develop an almond-colored hue (IronToxicity.net, 2011).
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