- GeneHFE, the haemochromatosis protein
- Variants testedrs1800562 (C282Y), rs1799945 (H63D), rs1800730
- What it controlsHow much iron your gut takes up from food
- If overload variantsIron builds up in the liver, heart and pancreas
- What changesIron left out of the formula, ferritin testing recommended
What the gene does
Your body has no active route for getting rid of excess iron. Absorption is the only control point, and hepcidin is the hormone that sets it. HFE sits upstream of hepcidin, signalling how much iron is already in store so absorption can be dialled down when it should be.
What the variants change
C282Y and H63D disrupt that signalling. The result is inappropriate uptake that continues when it shouldn't, and because there's no excretion route, the surplus deposits in tissue. Liver, heart and pancreas take the load.
Most carriers never develop clinical haemochromatosis. But most carriers also never find out they're carriers, and iron supplements are one of the most casually taken things on the shelf.
What it means for you
People usually reach for iron when they feel tired. If you carry an overload variant, that instinct is the wrong one. The sensible steps are avoiding iron supplements unless a blood test says otherwise, being careful with high-dose vitamin C alongside iron-rich meals since it increases absorption, and getting ferritin measured rather than guessing.
This is worth saying plainly: for you, more iron is not better.
What your formula does
Where an overload variant is present, your formula leaves iron out. Your report flags it in plain language and points you at a ferritin test, which is a conversation for your doctor rather than a supplement decision.
Find out which version you carry
One saliva test reads all three HFE sites alongside 54 other nutritional markers.
See pricing