Hemochromatosis type 4

Hemochromatosis type 4 is a hereditary iron overload disorder that affects ferroportin, the iron transport protein needed to export iron from cells into the circulation. Although the disease is rare, it is found throughout the world and affects people from various ethnic groups. Most people with type 4 hemochromatosis have a relatively mild form of the disease, while some have a more severe form. As the disease progresses, iron may accumulate in the tissues of affected individuals over time, potentially resulting in organ damage. Within the family of hemochromatosis conditions it is distinguished by its involvement of ferroportin rather than other iron-handling proteins, which is why it is catalogued as a separate type. The article lead does not give prevalence figures, so none are stated here.