Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis: Information for Relatives |
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If you find out that you have hemochromatosis, encourage your immediate
family members (grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, and adult
children older than 25) to be tested for the amount of iron in their
blood.
- If you have hemochromatosis, your brother or sister has a 1 in 4
chance (25%) of having two HFE gene mutations.
- If you have hemochromatosis, your children have about a 1 in 20 chance
(5%) of having two HFE gene mutations.
It is important to remember that not all people with two HFE gene
mutations will develop hemochromatosis.
In persons with a family history of hemochromatosis, genetic testing can
determine who in the family does not have the HFE gene mutation.
However, measuring the amount of iron in the blood is more helpful than
genetic testing for detecting iron buildup and hemochromatosis.
Key Point |
Measuring the amount of iron in the
body with a simple blood test is more helpful than genetic
testing for detecting iron buildup and hemochromatosis. |
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