Iron Overload and Haemochromatosis: The Silent Threat

While iron deficiency is more recognised, iron overload often develops quietly, particularly in men, with serious consequences emerging only after years or decades.

Variants in the HFE gene can impair hepcidin regulation, leading to excessive iron absorption and progressive accumulation in the liver, pancreas, heart, brain, and joints. Over time, this accelerates tissue ageing and increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction, including metabolic and cardiovascular disease, liver pathology including cancer, and neurodegeneration. Because symptoms are often nonspecific or absent until significant damage has occurred, genetic screening plays a vital role in early detection.

This talk complements the iron deficiency discussion, completing the picture of iron imbalance management informed by nutrigenetics.