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Hereditary Hemochromatosis: An Iron Overload Disease Hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in the gene called HFE, which regulates the amount of iron absorbed from food. Particularly, two mutations, called C282Y and H63D, cause the abnormal metabolism of the iron. People with the disease have inherited a defective gene from each parent. If a person inherits the defective gene from only one parent he/she is a carrier but does not develop it. …

…to a year. After this the blood ferritin levels will be checked. Ideally it should be less than 9 to 50 micrograms of blood ferritin per liter of blood. After the ideal level of iron is reached, maintenance therapy is needed. This means taking one pint of blood every 1-4 months for life. Along with phlebotomy, a restricted diet is recommended. Particularly, it is best to avoid iron-rich foods like red meat, and iron-fortified bread and cereal.