[color:"red"] Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) [/color] is a disorder of iron metabolism by the body. Basically, in this disorder there is an increase in iron absorption from the gut with subsequent deposition of this iron in tissues.
It is relatively common, with a reported incidence of close to 1 in 250 persons of Northern European descent. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that only 50% of those who have received a gene for the major mutation in HH [color:"red"] from both parents [/color] actually express clinical evidence of iron overload, and less than 10% develop tissue damage from excessive accumulation of iron.
Cecil's Textbook of Medicine lists four stages of HH:
1. Those who are geneticaly predisposed, but have no clinical abnormality
2. Those who have iron overload, but no symptoms
3. Those with iron overload with mild or early symptoms
4. Those with iron overload and organ damage
Even in those who do have clinical evidence of the disease, the treatment is simple (phlebotomy). Your doctor can tell you where you lie in the spectrum and what treatment (if any) needs to be given.
I hope this helps.