Hope Through Research for Hemochromatosis

Current research in hemochromatosis is concentrated in four areas:

Genetics. Scientists are working to understand more about how the HFE gene normally regulates iron levels and why not everyone with an abnormal pair of genes develops the disease.

Pathogenesis. Scientists are studying how iron injures body cells. Iron is an essential nutrient, but above a certain level it can damage or even kill the cell.

Epidemiology. Research is under way to explain why the amounts of iron people normally store in their bodies differ. Research is also being conducted to determine how many people with the defective HFE gene go on to develop symptoms, as well as why some people develop symptoms and others do not.

Screening and testing. Scientists are working to determine at what age testing is most effective, which groups should be tested, and what the best tests for widespread screening are.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemochromatosis/index.htm