<prompt> Which of the following statements about hemochromatosis is not trueHypogonadism may be seenAhropathy may occurDiabetes mellitus may developDimercaprol is treatment of choice  <response>: Characteristics of hereditary hemochromatosisThe liver is the first organ to be affected.Excessive skin pigmentation is present.Diabetes mellitus occurs in about 65 of patients.Cardiac involvement may be seen.Hypogonadism may occur Ahropathy may occur.TreatmentThe therapy of hemochromatosis involves removal of the excess body iron and suppoive treatment of damaged organs. Iron removal is best accomplished by weekly or twice-weekly phlebotomy of 500 mL.An effective oral iron chelating agent, deferasirox, has recently become available but is still in clinical trials.Desferrioxamine, when given parenterally, remove 10-20 mg iron per day, which is much less than that mobilized by once-weekly phlebotomy.Ref: Harrisons 18e p2312, 17e p1764, 2433 