Hemochromatosis type 1

Hemochromatosis type 1 is a disorder caused by a change (mutation) in the HFE gene. This change causes the body to absorb too much iron as it digests food. The excess iron is stored in several of the body’s organs and can eventually cause cancer, diabetes, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), and permanent scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). There are several types of hemochromatosis. Type 1 is the most common. It is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning that if you inherit the changed gene from both of your parents, then you will have the disorder (genes come in pairs, one copy from each parent). Parents with only one changed copy of the HFE gene are known as carriers. Carriers usually do not have symptoms of the disorders they carry, but in this case slightly higher body iron levels are common.

Common symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, weakness, bronzed skin, diabetes, or heart failure. In men, hemochromatosis may cause loss of sex drive (low libido) or impotence. The high levels of iron in the blood can lead to high transferrin saturation, high levels of a protein called ferritin, and high liver iron content. Symptoms often appear in midlife and are more common in men. Women who develop the disorder have usually already gone through menopause. Hemochromatosis is the most common hereditary disorder among the Caucasian population.

For many people, the only symptom is a high level of iron in the blood, which may make forming a diagnosis challenging. Two types of blood tests may be done to diagnose the disorder. To confirm the diagnosis, other tests may include an MRI and liver biopsy. Treatments are available to manage the disorder. Research is ongoing, so talk with your doctor(s) about the most current treatment options. A genetic counselor can help you understand how the disorder runs in families. Support groups are also a good source of information and can connect you with others living with hemochromatosis.