Dietary iron intake and serum ferritin concentration in 213 patients homozygous for the HFEC282Y hemochromatosis mutation.
BACKGROUND
HFEC282Y homozygotes have an increased risk for developing increased iron stores and related disorders. It is controversial whether dietary iron restrictions should be recommended to such individuals.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether dietary iron content influences iron stores in HFEC282Y homozygotes as assessed by serum ferritin concentration.


METHODS
Serum ferritin concentration was measured and a dietary iron questionnaire was completed as part of the evaluation of 213 HFEC282Y homozygotes who were identified through screening of >100,000 primary care patients at five HEmochromatosis and IRon Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study Field Centers in the United States and Canada.


RESULTS
No significant relationships between serum ferritin concentration and dietary heme iron content, dietary nonheme iron content or reports of supplemental iron use were found.


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not support recommending dietary heme or nonheme iron restrictions for HFEC282Y homozygotes diagnosed through screening in North America.
Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
Victor R
VR
Gordeuk
Laura
L
Lovato
James
J
Barton
Mara
M
Vitolins
Gordon
G
McLaren
Ronald
R
Acton
Christine
C
McLaren
Emily
E
Harris
Mark
M
Speechley
John H
JH
Eckfeldt
Sharmin
S
Diaz
Phyliss
P
Sholinsky
Paul
P
Adams
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D005293:Ferritins