Preview Hereditary hemochromatosis, once believed to be rare, is now known to affect 1 in 250 to 300 people of northern European descent. Untreated, the disorder can have serious complications, but for patients in whom it is discovered and treated early, the prognosis is good. In this guide to diagnosis and management, Drs Olynyk and Bacon discuss, among other things, which patients to screen, what tests to order, length of treatment, effect of treatment on complications, and prognosis.