GENETIC HAEMOCHROMATOSIS

SUMMARY Genetic haemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of iron metabolism due to mutation of the HFE gene. In homozygotes (1 in 300 of the UK population), this results in excessive iron absorption from the gut and its deposition in major body organs. This may give rise to fatigue, arthritis, cardiac failure, diabetes mellitus, hepatic cirrhosis or skin pigmentation, occurring predominantly in males over 50 years of age. Identification uses measurement of serum iron, iron‐binding capacity (or transferrin) and ferritin, together with initial or confirmatory genetic DNA studies.