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HFE Hereditary haemochromatosis is genetic. You are born with the risk. It is a recessive genetic condition ie you must inherit one copy of a mutated gene from each parent. Iron overload can occur where there has been mutation of both copies of the HFE gene. Generally only C282Y homozygous (both copies of the gene) leads to serious overload. Sometimes the C282Y / H63D combination will lead to a milder form. Peoplewho have only one gene mutated are carriers but do not express symptoms.