A common  recessively inherited   blood disorder resulting  in excess  iron in the  body due to increased  absorbtion from the  intestine. An incidence of about  1 in 200.

May be  manifested   by the  following  symptoms –

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Cirrhosis of liver
• Liver cancer
• Arthritis
• Skin pigmentation
• Cardiomyopathy
• Testicular failure
• Diabetes mellitus

Diagnosis  is usually  by a  combination of  blood film  , iron studies and  gene testing.

Treatment  is  usually by venesection  – draining  off  excess blood