title: Hereditary hemochromatosis: a common, often unrecognized, genetic disease.
abstract: Hereditary hemochromatosis in people of northern European descent is more common than many physicians realize. It causes excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron, leading to potentially fatal iron deposition in multiple organs. Early diagnosis and phlebotomy to reduce iron stores can prevent complications and provide normal life expectancy. Genetic testing of relatives of patients with hemochromatosis is warranted in some circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University College and Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin. gmccarthy@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: Geraldine M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: Conor J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eustace
authors.forename: Dermot
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kenny
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D018962:Phlebotomy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014168:Transferrin