Appropriate Clinical Genetic Testing of Hemochromatosis Type 2-4, Including Ferroportin Disease.

Abstract

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an inherited iron overload disorder due to a deficiency of hepcidin, or a failure of hepcidin to degrade ferroportin. The most common form of HH, Type 1 HH, is most commonly due to a homozygous C282Y mutation in HFE and is relatively well understood in significance and action; however, other rare forms of HH (Types 2-4) exist and are more difficult to identify and diagnose in clinical practice. In this review, we describe the clinical characteristics of HH Type 2-4 and the mutation patterns that have been described in these conditions. We also review the different methods for genetic testing available in clinical practice and a pragmatic approach to the patient with suspected non-HFE HH.