Increased accumulation of iron.

Symptoms include hepatic cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, joint pain, and in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although 1:300 whites inherit the homozygous genotype, a much smaller percentage of individuals develop the disease (approximately 1 in 1000-2000)

This incomplete penetrance is caused in part by periodic iron loss, particularly in women (menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation all leading to depletion of iron stores).

Genetic or hereditary hemochromotosis is mainly associated with a defect in a gene called HFE, which helps regulate the amount of iron absorbed from food.

Iron is over-absorbed from the diet.

The liver shows a prominent dark brown discoloration because of excessive iron b/c of excessive iron storage.