Is hemochromatosis a Viking disease?

The C282Y mutation is assumed to have arisen in Europe more than 4,000 years ago (30). Its geographical distribution coincides with Viking travel routes, which suggests that the mutation spread with the Vikings. This explains why the vernacular name for haemochromatosis used to be «the Viking disease» (fig. 4) (31).

Is hemochromatosis a Celtic disease?

Known as the Celtic Curse, haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder seen mainly in people of Celtic origin which causes those affected by it to absorb excessive amounts of iron into the blood. If left untreated, this may lead to organ damage or even failure.

What race is hemochromatosis most common?

People of Northern European descent are more prone to hereditary hemochromatosis than are people of other ethnic backgrounds. Hemochromatosis is less common in people of Black, Hispanic and Asian ancestry. Your sex. Men are more likely than women to develop signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis at an earlier age.

Where did hemochromatosis come from?

It is often described as a "Celtic mutation"--originating in a Celtic population in central Europe and spreading west and north by population movement. It has also been suggested that Viking migrations were largely responsible for the distribution of this mutation.

What is the connection between hemochromatosis and the plague?

Though it is well known that the plague was responsible for the deaths of nearly half of the European population at the time, evidence also suggests that it may be responsible for the high rates of a disease called hemochromatosis; a disease of excessive iron storage, that "is the most common inherited single gene ...

Understanding Haemochromatosis

Can black people get hemochromatosis?

Conclusions: Penetrance-adjusted estimates indicate that ∼9 African Americans per 100,000 have a hemochromatosis phenotype and two common HFE mutations. Hemochromatosis-associated genotype frequencies varied 11.7-fold across regions.

What is the evolutionary advantage of hemochromatosis?

Thus, by induction of the iron-capturing peptide Lcn2, absence of functional Hfe confers host resistance to systemic infection with Salmonella, thereby providing an evolutionary advantage which may account for the high prevalence of genetic hemochromatosis.

Why is hemochromatosis called the Celtic curse?

The Celtic curse refers to the disease of hereditary hemochromatosis, or HH. It is so-called because it is common in people of Celtic background: Irish, Scots, Welsh and British.

Which country has the most hemochromatosis?

The introduction of serum ferritin analysis in the 1970s and the discovery of the haemochromatosis gene in 1996 made it simple to identify hereditary haemochromatosis at the preclinical stage. Hereditary haemochromatosis is the most common genetic metabolic disorder in ethnic Norwegians.

How long is the average lifespan of a person with hemochromatosis?

Most people with hemochromatosis have a normal life expectancy. Survival may be shortened in people who are not treated and develop cirrhosis or diabetes mellitus.

Who is most at risk for hereditary hemochromatosis?

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic diseases in the United States. It's most common in Caucasians of Northern European descent. The disease is less common in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians.

Can you donate blood if you have hemochromatosis?

Having recognized the safety of our blood, the FDA has always allowed individuals with hemochromatosis to donate.

Is hemochromatosis classed as a critical illness?

A critical illness cover policy is designed to protect you if you're diagnosed with a serious illness or permanent injury. It is well-known that haemochromatosis is not a severe medical condition so will not attract a payout from this type of cover.

What percentage of Irish people have hemochromatosis?

The genetic disorder, caused by an overload of iron in the body, is especially prevalent among the Irish and other Celtic people – one-in-83 is believed to have the condition, with one-in-five of us actually carrying the gene.

What is the Celtic gene?

Shenagh Lundy was diagnosed with Genetic haemochromatosis (GH). when she was 18. The disorder sometimes known as 'the Celtic curse' causes the body to absorb excessive amounts of iron. The iron is deposited in various organs including the liver, heart, pancreas and the joints causing an iron overload.

What is known as the Irish disease?

Since the discovery of the mutation in 1996, hemochromatosis has been called the “Celtic Curse,” “Irish Illness,” “Scottish Sickness,” and the “British Gene” for good reasons. Research suggests that the mutation occurred in Ireland to conserve iron in the bodies of the Celts who lacked an iron-rich diet.

How common is hemochromatosis in the world?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most common autosomal recessive disorder in whites, with a prevalence of 1 in 300 to 500 individuals. [5] Hereditary hemochromatosis type 2, 3, and 4 are seen worldwide but type 1 is mostly seen in people of northern European descent.

How common is hereditary hemochromatosis?

Hereditary hemochromatosis affects one in 300 people in the United States. However, it often goes undiagnosed, partially due to its nonspecific symptoms. The classic form of hemochromatosis is most common in Caucasians of Northern European descent. It is a genetic disease that may be found in families.

How many people have hereditary hemochromatosis in the world?

Frequency. Type 1 hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States, affecting about 1 million people. It most often affects people of Northern European descent. The other types of hemochromatosis are considered rare and have been studied in only a small number of families worldwide.

What is Black Irish blood?

The term is commonly used to describe people of Irish origin who have dark features, black hair, a dark complexion and dark eyes.

What is a black Irish person?

The term "Black Irish" is sometimes used outside Ireland to refer to Irish people with black hair and dark eyes. One theory is that they are descendants of Spanish traders or of the few sailors of the Spanish Armada who were shipwrecked on Ireland's west coast, but there is little evidence for this.

Does hemochromatosis affect memory?

Cognitive Problems Resulting from Iron Overload Because iron crosses the BBB and excess iron can accumulate in the brain, cognitive processes are likely to be affected in people with haemochromatosis. Those that are most sensitive to brain damage include memory, learning, information processing speed and attention.

When was hereditary haemochromatosis discovered?

Hemochromatosis was first identified in the 1800s, and by 1935 it was understood to be an inherited disease resulting in iron overload and deposition.

Is C282Y a gene?

Cys282Tyr (C282Y) mutation of the HFE gene is the main genotype associated with the common form of adult hereditary hemochromatosis. C282Y carriers do not usually develop iron overload, unless they have additional risk factors such as liver diseases, a dysmetabolic syndrome or an associated genetic defect.

Is hemochromatosis a monogenic disorder?

Considered for long time a unitary disease, a monogenic disorder characterized by excess tissue deposits of iron and subsequently organ damage, hemochromatosis is in fact a polygenic disease with many faces.