The bronze fist - an arthritic symptom typical of haemochromatoisis

Chronic fatigue, weakness, lethargy

Abdominal pain; sometimes in the stomach region or the upper right hand side, sometimes diffuse
Arthritis; may affect any joint but particularly common in the knuckle and first joint of the first two fingers
Diabetes (late onset type)
Liver disorders; abnormal liver function tests, enlarged liver, cirrhosis
Sexual disorders; loss of sex drive, impotence in men, absent or scanty menstrual periods and early menopause in women, decrease in body hair
Cardiomyopathy; disease of the heart muscle (not to be confused with disease of the arteries of the heart)
Neurological/psychiatric disorders; impaired memory, mood swings, irritability, depression
Bronzing of the skin, or a permanent tan

Most of these symptoms are found in other disorders. Chronic fatigue may be ascribed to after-effects of a viral infection or to psychological causes, and abdominal pain to irritable bowel syndrome. Similarly liver disorders may be put down to excessive alcohol intake, even in someone who is only a moderate drinker. However, if the above symptoms are present, GH should also be considered as a diagnosis.

Most individuals who have GH will, in due course, develop at least one or two of the above symptoms, although possibly in a very mild form. There may be a long phase of the condition where there are no symptoms. However, if arthritis is found only in the first two finger joints this is highly suggestive of GH.