passed down in generations. They are caused by defects on genes, extra

chromosomes, or missing chromosomes. Hemochromatosis is caused by a defect on a

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder in which the body absorbs too much iron.

It is the most common iron overload disease. People who do not have it usually

absorb ten percent of the iron in the foods they eat. People who have

hemochromatosis absorb much more than that. Since the body has no natural way

to get rid of this extra iron it is stored in body tissues, especially the liver

heart, and pancreas. This iron buildup in the organs can severely damage them.

If this disease isn’t treated, the organs fail and have fatal results.

Hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in a gene called HFE. This gene helps

regulate the amount of iron that is absorbed in food. If this gene is defected

then the body absorbs too much iron. Two mutations of this gene are called C282Y

and H63D. H63D causes too little increase in iron absorption. C282Y causes iron

to be over absorbed and is more dangerous than H63D. Hemochromatosis is

autosomal recessive. This means tha

both parents in order for it to show up. While a carrier of the gene usually

figure out why some people get the symptoms and why others do not. Scientists

chance that the symptoms could be caused by other conditions that may run in the

to find out how iron injures cells and whether it has an effect on organ damage

Some topics in this essay:
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