Haemochromatosis and family testing. What should a GP do?
BACKGROUND
As awareness about haemochromatosis increases in the community, general practitioners are encountering more requests for information about screening family members.


OBJECTIVE
This article uses case histories to discuss which family members should be tested, how they should be tested and how to interpret the results of iron studies and the HFE gene test.


CONCLUSIONS
General practitioners have an important role in providing information about haemochromatosis to family members and arranging testing. In addition GPs can assist patients with haemochromatosis to advise family members by drafting a letter such as the one included in this article.
Newstead
Jennifer
J
Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria.
Delatycki
Martin
M
Aitken
Mary Anne
MA
D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree