Who is affected by iron overload/hemochromatosis?
Most affected people DO NOT KNOW they are accumulating dangerous stores of iron. Tragically underdiagnosed, no race, age, or gender is immune. (Premenopausal women do have iron overload as well as young children) The American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS) has made an official position statement and issued guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and management of iron overload/hereditary hemochromatosis, including recommendations that all Americans age 2 years and older be routinely and universally screened for iron overload as well as genetic screening. All ethnic groups can be affected, but those with an Irish/Scottish/Celtic/British heritage have an even higher prevalence of the HH mutation. Hispanics and Afro Americans also have iron overload.
