A more general warning about Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is a genetic condition which causes you to absorb too much iron.

Another example of evolution not being fast enough to keep up with environmental factors. The condition may have been beneficial during times of famine and low availability of iron in the diet. Irish people are very high risk - one in 200 people. It is hypothesized the famine may have had something to do with this. African Americans are also a high risk which some people think may have allowed some black slaves survive the horrific conditions of the slave ships.

I honestly think that if it affected women to the same extent we'd all be tested at birth for it. They're just better at raising awareness for health issues than us. The reason it doesn't affect them as much is they lose iron through periods. It probably actually protects many underweight girls from anaemia.

If you have a parent who has the condition you will be at least a dormant carrier. If your other parent is a carrier you'll have a good chance of having the condition.

Every person with Irish parents should be tested. If you know a parent has it you should be even more urgent about getting yourself tested.

It can cause fatigue and liver/other organ damage

http://www.haemochromatosis-ir.com/