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• Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that can cause your body to absorb too much iron from the foods you eat.  This can lead to having too much iron in your body.  This is called iron overload.  Iron overload can damage major organs, including your heart, liver, pancreas and pituitary.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are key for preventing complications from this disease.
• The HFE gene is related to hereditary hemochromatosis.
• Hereditary hemochromatosis can be caused by having a variant (altered copy) of the HFE gene. Most individuals have two copies of the HFE gene. Most people with hereditary hemochromatosis have a variant on both copies of the HFE gene (from their mother and their father). 
• Hemochromatosis can run in families.  Family members of someone who has this disease may find it useful to have genetic testing.
• If you have concerns about hemochromatosis, talk to your health care provider.  They can share more about your health risks and make recommendations for your care.

To Learn More about Hereditary Hemochromatosis, visit these sites:

1. Centers for Disease Control: Hemochromatosis
2. Mayo Clinic: Hemochromatosis
3. Genome.gov: Hemochromatosis