What causes iron overload disease?
Iron overload disease may be caused by several different genetic or acquired disorders. Genetic causes Most cases of iron overload are the result of genetic disorders. Iron overload disease caused by genetic abnormalities is called hereditary haemochromatosis. Mutations (changes or defects) of one specific gene, HFE, account for about 80 percent of all iron overabsorption disorders. It seems that this abnormal gene carries the “blueprint” for the production of a defective protein that causes the gut to absorb too much iron. The excess iron then enters the bloodstream and eventually gets deposited in different parts of the body. People inherit two copies of most genes, one from each parent. If you inherit two copies of the defective HFE gene, your risk of developing iron overload disease is very high. If you only inherit one defective copy, you are a “carrier” i.e. you can pass the defective gene on to your children, but you are unlikely to suffer any symptoms yourself. However, some st
