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Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis: Causes and Risk Factors

photo of man showing boy a baseballIn the United States, the most common form of hemochromatosis in adults is called hereditary hemochromatosis or classic hemochromatosis. This form of the disease is caused by a defect in the genes that control how iron is absorbed by the body.

Causes

The amount of iron the human body absorbs is controlled by many genes. Genes can sometimes change (or mutate) in ways that keep them from working properly.

Hereditary hemochromatosis can occur when a person inherits two mutated copies of a gene called the HFE gene — one from each parent. Men and women have the same chance of inheriting two copies of this gene.

Not everyone who is born with two copies of the mutated HFE gene develops the disease. Scientists do not know what percentage of people who have two copies of the mutated HFE gene develop the disease. Some studies have shown that as few as 1 in 100 people will develop symptoms. Other studies have shown that as many as 50 in 100 people may develop symptoms.
A person with only one copy of the mutated HFE gene is usually healthy and is said to be a “carrier” of the genetic condition. Although a carrier usually does not have hemochromatosis, if both a mother and father are carriers, a child may inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent.


Risk Factors

People who inherit the HFE gene mutation from both parents are at the greatest risk for developing hemochromatosis. Although both men and women can inherit the gene defect, men are more likely to be diagnosed with the effects of hemochromatosis than women. Other factors that increase risk are listed in the following table.
 

Factor Reason for Increased Risk
Ethnic background White people of northern European descent (for example, families from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, France, and Scandinavia) have a higher chance of having the HFE gene mutation.
Family history People with a close relative (grandparent, mother, father, sibling, niece, nephew) who has hemochromatosis have a higher chance of having the HFE gene mutation.


Factors That May Affect Iron Buildup

For people at risk of developing hemochromatosis, the speed at which iron builds up and the severity of the symptoms vary from person to person. Many people do not have any early symptoms. Symptoms tend to occur in men between the ages of 30 and 50 and in women over age 50.
The following factors may affect the buildup of iron in the body and may speed up or slow down the development of hemochromatosis.

Factor Potential Effect on Iron Buildup
Use of dietary supplements Taking iron supplements or multivitamins with iron can speed up the rate at which iron builds up in the body. Persons with hemochromatosis should not take pills containing iron. Eating foods that contain iron is fine.

Taking vitamin C supplements may cause the body to absorb more iron. Persons with hemochromatosis should not take pills with more than 500 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Eating foods that contain vitamin C is fine.

Blood loss Losing iron by giving blood and losing iron through menstruation and unrecognized bleeding may slow the start of hemochromatosis. Therefore, men at risk for hemochromatosis usually develop the disease and its symptoms at a younger age than women who are at risk.

 

Key Point
People with the HFE gene mutation may absorb extra iron from their diet each day. Over many years, this extra iron may cause a buildup of iron in the body that can lead to disease. Persons with hemochromatosis should not take pills containing iron.

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Hemochromatosis: What Every Clinician and Health Care Professional Needs to Know
Hemochromatosis: What Every Clinician and
Health Care Professional Needs to Know

Cover of Iron Overload and Hemocromatosis Brochure:  Information for Patients and Their Families
Iron overload and Hemochromatosis
Information for Patients and Family

 
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Contact Info

Thank you for visiting the CDC-NCBDDD Web site. Click here to contact the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

We are not able to answer personal medical questions. Please see your health care provider concerning appropriate care, treatment, or other medical advice.
 

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Date last reviewed: 11/01/2007
Content source: Division of Hereditary Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
  
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