1 Answer

A defect in a gene called HFE, which occurs mostly in Caucasians of European descent, can cause primary hemochromatosis. If you inherit one HFE gene from each parent, you may develop hemochromatosis. Around five in 1,000 people inherit two copies of the gene and may develop the disease, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports. Juvenile and neonatal hemochromatosis are caused by a genetic mutation in hemojuvelin. Men often develop symptoms between the ages of 30 and 50, while women develop symptoms around age 50, on average, according to the NDDIC. Secondary hemochromatosis develops as a result of alcoholism and anemia, among other diseases.
Result
Normally only around 10 percent of dietary iron is absorbed by your body. People with hemochromatosis absorb as much as 30 percent of the iron they take in. Because iron isn't excreted, excess amounts build up in the tissues, particularly the tissues in the liver, heart and pancreas.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/321711-high-iron-liver-problems/#ixzz1geK9UCCE