Screening

Even though genetic mutations seen in hemochromatosis are not uncommon in the general population, only a small subset of people with the mutation will develop symptoms and an even smaller subset will develop advanced disease.​[13][42][43]

As such, major guidelines do not recommend screening of the asymptomatic general population; however, screening of family members of patients with hemochromatosis is supported by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American College of Gastroenterology, the British Society for Haematology, and the European Association for the Study of the Liver.[4][7]​​​[8][44][45]​​ Siblings are expected to have a 25% chance of having hemochromatosis.[8]​ Do not order HFE genetic testing for individuals without iron overload or a family history of HFE-associated hereditary hemochromatosis.[7]​[8]​[30]​

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