Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

BACKGROUND:

HFE^C282Y homozygotes have an increased risk for developing increased iron stores and related disorders. It is controversial whether dietary iron restrictions should be recommended to such individuals.

To determine whether dietary iron content influences iron stores in HFE^C282Y homozygotes as assessed by serum ferritin concentration.

Serum ferritin concentration was measured and a dietary iron questionnaire was completed as part of the evaluation of 213 HFE^C282Y homozygotes who were identified through screening of >100,000 primary care patients at five HEmochromatosis and IRon Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study Field Centers in the United States and Canada.

No significant relationships between serum ferritin concentration and dietary heme iron content, dietary nonheme iron content or reports of supplemental iron use were found.

These results do not support recommending dietary heme or nonheme iron restrictions for HFEC^282Y homozygotes diagnosed through screening in North America.