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A variety of other conditions can cause iron overload and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis. These conditions include:

• Hematological disorders
• Chronic liver diseases
• Other causes of iron overload

Hematological Disorders

• Thalassemia major - a hereditary blood disorder that affects a person's ability to produce hemoglobin.
• Sideroblastic anemia - an enzyme disorder that prevents the body from incorporating iron into hemoglobin leading to iron overload
• Chronic hemolytic anemia - a chronic hemolytic disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce them
• Aplastic anemia - a condition where the bone marrow produces insufficient amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Chronic Liver Diseases

• Hepatitis
• Alcoholic liver disease
• Porphyria cutanea tarda - a condition resulting from an enzyme disorder that leads to the accumulation of porphyrins (pigments) in the liver and causes skin blistering when exposed to sunlight.

Other Causes of Iron Overload

• Transfusion of red blood cells
• Long-term hemodialysis
• Aceruloplasminemia - an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism characterized by diabetes, retinal degeneration, and neurologic symptoms.
• Excess oral ingestion of iron supplements