Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, P.O. Box 5339, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada.
Hemochromatosis is a common genetic disease with a wide range of clinical expression: from no symptoms to cirrhosis of the liver. The discovery of the gene has led to a genetic blood test useful in the diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Treatment by phlebotomy is simple and efficient and can prevent the development of cirrhosis, leading to a normal life expectancy.