What disorder is characterized by excessive absorption of iron from food leading to tissue deposits?

Hemochromatosis is a disorder characterized by excessive absorption of iron from the diet, leading to an accumulation of iron in various organs and tissues. This condition is primarily hereditary, caused by mutations in genes involved in iron metabolism, such as the HFE gene. The excessive iron deposits can cause serious damage to organs, particularly the liver, heart, and pancreas, leading to complications such as cirrhosis, heart failure, and diabetes.

The body's regulation of iron absorption is typically very tight; however, in hemochromatosis, this regulation fails, resulting in the excessive uptake of iron from the digestive tract. This condition can often be asymptomatic early on, but as iron levels increase, symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, and skin changes, among others.

In contrast, the other listed conditions do not involve excessive iron absorption: Wilson's disease involves copper accumulation; gallstones involve the formation of hardened deposits in the gallbladder; and steatorrhea refers to the presence of excess fat in stool, often due to malabsorption issues. Each of these disorders affects the body in different ways and does not share the primary characteristic of iron overload seen in hemochromatosis.