Haemochromatosis: a time for guidelines?

Hereditary haemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive metabolic abnormality which causes excessive absorption of dietary iron. iron accumulation leads to potentially fatal damage to organs such as the heart, liver and pancrea s. Normal life expectancy can be restored simply by therapeutic venesection Discovery of the gene, HFE, hers rekindled interest in pathogenesis, manag ement and screening strategies.