In hereditary hemochromatosis deposits of iron appear in practically every major organ, particularly the liver, pancreas and heart, resulting in complete and widespread organ failure. It was first described in 1865. The majority of patients have a Celtic ancestor who lived 60 or 70 generations ago.
Patients with hemochromatosis regularly absorb two to three times as much dietary iron as normal perons.
Nature 403, 46 (2000)
New England Journal of Medicine December 23, 1999 341:1986-1995
The treatment of hemochromatosis has not changed substantially since 1950. It essentially involves theraputic phlebotomy on a regular basis. Every 500 ml of blood contains about 250 mg of iron. On average men require phlebotomy about three to four times per year and women about one to two times per year. When phlebotomy is instituted before end-stage organ damage occurs, patients can have a normal life expectancy and quality of life.
An important screening test for hemochromatosis is a serum ferritin. If that level is above 80 one should consider donating their blood until it is below 80 but above 30. This is especially important for anyone with heart disease as elevated iron levels are a very important oxidant stress that will oxidize cholesterol and accelerate atherosclerosis.
Iron can be a very damaging supplement and must be used with great caution. I would never recommend iron supplementation unless one confirms that the serum ferritin level is below 20.