Haemochromatosis is caused by a faulty gene that can be passed from parents to a child. The faulty gene is usually the HFE gene. The HFE gene controls the body's ability to absorb iron properly.
If you have haemochromatosis, you cannot control how much iron you have in your blood. Your iron level increases over time and builds up in your organs or joints. The build up can cause damage and complications.
How haemochromatosis is inherited
You can get haemochromatosis if both your parents have the faulty gene and you inherit the gene from each parent.
If you only inherit the faulty gene from 1 parent, you are a carrier. But you do not develop haemochromatosis. There is a 1 in 2 chance of passing the faulty gene to your children.
In certain ethnic groups it's common to be a carrier of the faulty HFE gene. For example, people with a Celtic background.
If both parents carry the faulty gene, the chances of a child having haemochromatosis or carrying the gene vary:
- 1 in 4 chance - the child does not have haemochromatosis and is not a carrier
- 1 in 2 chance - the child does not have haemochromatosis but is a carrier
- 1 in 4 chance - the child has haemochromatosis
Inheriting 2 copies of the faulty gene does not mean you get haemochromatosis.
Only a small number of people with 2 copies of the faulty HFE gene develop the condition.
