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Wilson’s disease is a congenital condition that causes excess copper to build up in the body. It's caused by a mutation in the ATP7B gene, and it mainly affects the brain and the liver.
Wilson's disease is rare: it is estimated to affect one in every 30,000 people. However, if left untreated, this condition can cause life-threatening damage to a person’s organs.
The symptoms of Wilson’s disease vary from person to person, and so does the timing of their onset. In general, people start to present with symptoms between the ages of five and 40.
If this happens, symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, pain in the abdomen just above the liver, and a yellow tint to the eyes and skin (otherwise known as jaundice).
In some cases, people with this condition will only present with liver symptoms if they develop chronic liver disease and complications from cirrhosis.
If this is the case, symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, swelling in the lower legs, feet, and abdomen (edema), and a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
People with Wilson’s disease may also present with central nervous system symptoms, such as problems with speech, stiff muscles, and tremors.
Symptoms that affect the central nervous system tend to be more common in adults with Wilson’s than in children (although it’s not impossible for kids to experience them, too).
The central nervous system symptoms of Wilson’s can also affect a person’s mental health. They can cause anxiety, depression, psychosis, and even personality or behavior changes.
Another telltale symptom of Wilson’s disease is Kayser-Fleischer rings, which are rings of green, gold, or brown that appear around the cornea of a person’s eyes.
These are caused by a buildup of copper in the eyes, and they can be observed by a doctor using a specific eye test called a slit-lamp exam.
In addition to causing symptoms in the liver, brain, and eyes, this condition can also affect other parts of the body, including the bones, heart, and kidneys.
The disease is genetic, but it is autosomal recessive, meaning that to have this disease a person must inherit two mutated genes, one from each parent.
As previously mentioned, Wilson’s disease is caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for removing excess copper from the body.
Carriers of Wilson’s disease are people who inherit just one abnormal gene and therefore do not develop the condition, but can pass it on to their children.
If they suspect you have symptoms that could be caused by Wilson’s, they will then perform a combination of blood, urine, and genetic tests to confirm.
The treatment for Wilson’s disease focuses on lowering the toxic levels of copper in your body in order to prevent organ damage.
In the first instance, doctors may use chelating agents, such as penicillamine and trientine, to directly remove excess copper from the body.
Once the amount of copper in the body is back down to a safe level, they may then prescribe a lower dose of chelating agents as a maintenance treatment.
Indeed, a lifelong maintenance treatment with chelating agents can prevent the copper from building back up again to a dangerous level.
Since chelating agents can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds, doctors may prescribe a lower dose to people who are scheduled to have surgery.
Another option for maintenance treatment is zinc, which prevents the intestines from absorbing copper.
Doctors also use this to treat people who have been diagnosed with Wilson’s but who do not yet have symptoms. The most common side effect of zinc is an upset stomach.
If copper levels in your water are too high, you may need to use a water filter to remove the copper before you drink it.
Wilson's disease is serious, and it can cause complications. However, if it’s diagnosed early, proper treatment can lower the chance of someone developing side effects.
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
See also: Disease X: The next pandemic?
Unless you have Wilson's disease, or you know someone who does, you've probably never heard of this rare genetic condition. With non-specific symptoms that mainly affect the brain and the liver, this slippery condition is tricky to diagnose, and it can have serious complications if left untreated.
Curious? Check out this gallery to learn all about Wilson's disease.
What exactly is Wilson's disease?
All about this rare genetic condition
HEALTH Genetic disorders
Unless you have Wilson's disease, or you know someone who does, you've probably never heard of this rare genetic condition. With non-specific symptoms that mainly affect the brain and the liver, this slippery condition is tricky to diagnose, and it can have serious complications if left untreated.
Curious? Check out this gallery to learn all about Wilson's disease.