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The myths and realities of hemochromatosis

Melanie D Beaton1, Paul C Adams

  • 1Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology = Journal Canadien De Gastroenterologie
|February 15, 2007
PubMed

Hemochromatosis is a common genetic condition and yet there are still a number of misperceptions surrounding the diagnosis and management of this condition. Hemochromatosis affects both men and women. Typical patients do not have alcoholism or viral hepatitis, and often have normal liver enzymes. Clinical expression is highly variable. Genetic testing is widely available and particularly useful in family studies. Hemochromatosis can be readily diagnosed and treated. The purpose of the present review is to address the medical myths and misconceptions of hemochromatosis.

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