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Is Hemochromatosis Hereditary?
Question: To Dr XXXXXXX Good evening'It I need a humble guidance on risk of acquiring hemochromatosis to my children.My father expired due to hemochromatosis last year
Brief Answer:
Get screened for HFE gene mutations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I can understand your concerns.
Hemochromatosis is a recessive gene disorder.
That means for the condition to be passed on, both mother and father must have one copy of the abnormal HFE gene.
About one in seven people have one abnormal HFE gene. They are referred to as a ‘carrier’ because they carry a gene which may cause their children to inherit the disorder. Carriers won’t develop the condition themselves.
If two carriers have children, their child has:
- a 50 per cent chance of inheriting one mutated HFE gene and becoming a carrier.
-a 25 per cent chance of inheriting both mutated HFE genes and therefore being at risk of excess iron absorption and developing symptoms of hemochromatosis.
-a 25 per cent chance of inheriting two normal genes.
Hence, based on above pattern, I advise you to get screened for HFE gene mutations to predict the accurate risk.
Thank you.
Get screened for HFE gene mutations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I can understand your concerns.
Hemochromatosis is a recessive gene disorder.
That means for the condition to be passed on, both mother and father must have one copy of the abnormal HFE gene.
About one in seven people have one abnormal HFE gene. They are referred to as a ‘carrier’ because they carry a gene which may cause their children to inherit the disorder. Carriers won’t develop the condition themselves.
If two carriers have children, their child has:
- a 50 per cent chance of inheriting one mutated HFE gene and becoming a carrier.
-a 25 per cent chance of inheriting both mutated HFE genes and therefore being at risk of excess iron absorption and developing symptoms of hemochromatosis.
-a 25 per cent chance of inheriting two normal genes.
Hence, based on above pattern, I advise you to get screened for HFE gene mutations to predict the accurate risk.
Thank you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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