Hemochromatosis, Hereditary

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Hemochromatosis, Hereditary is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Bronze Diabetes
Cirrhosis, Congenital Pigmentary
Familial Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis Syndrome
Hemosiderosis
Iron Overload Disease
Primary Hemochromatosis
HH

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic disorder of iron storage characterized by excessive intestinal absorption of dietary iron. Increased iron absorption leads to excessive accumulation of iron deposits within cells of the liver, heart, pituitary gland, pancreas, and other organs, gradually causing tissue damage and impaired functioning of affected organs. Hereditary Hemochromatosis is considered one of the most common genetic disorders in Caucasians. However, many investigators indicate that the condition often remains undetected and therefore is underdiagnosed.

Hereditary Hemochromatosis is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. It is caused by changes (mutations) of a gene known as HFE located on the short arm (p) of chromosome 6 (6p21.3). Several different mutations of this gene have been identified that may contribute to the development of Hereditary Hemochromatosis. Associated symptoms and findings may become apparent in individuals who inherit two mutated copies of the HFE gene (homozygous). However, in other cases, individuals with two mutated HFE genes may not manifest symptoms (variable penetrance and expressivity).

In contrast, some who inherit only one mutated copy of the HFE gene (heterozygous carriers) may have symptoms and findings associated with Hereditary Hemochromatosis. In such cases, the disease may be "triggered" in genetically predisposed individuals due to a number of precipitating factors, such as inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or alcoholism. In addition, investigators suggest that mutations of other genes may have some role in causing the disorder or modifying its expression (genetic heterogeneity).
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

Iron Overload Diseases Association, Inc.
433 Westwind Drive
PO Box 15857
West Palm Beach, Fl 33416-5857
Tel: (561)586-8246
Fax: (561)842-9881
Tel: (866)768-8629
Email: iod@ironoverload.org
Internet: http://ironoverload.org

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Endocrine Diseases Metabolic Diseases Branch
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)496-7422
Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS)
4044 W. Lake Mary Blvd.
Suite 104 PMB 416
Lake Mary, FL 32746-2012
USA
Tel: (407)829-4488
Fax: (407)333-1284
Tel: (888)655-4766
Email: mail@americanhs.org
Internet: http://www.americanhs.org

Iron Disorders Institute
PO Box 675
Taylors, SC 29687
USA
Tel: (864)292-1175
Fax: (864)292-1878
Tel: (888)565-4766
Email: info@irondisorders.org
Internet: http://www.irondisorders.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Email: ordr@od.nih.gov
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx

Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 1/3/2007
Copyright 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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