A novel ferroportin mutation in a Canadian family with autosomal dominant hemochromatosis

We report a new mutation, Asn185Asp, in exon 6 of the ferroportin gene (FPN1) in 15 members of three successive generations of a Canadian family of Scandinavian origin with autosomal dominant hemochromatosis. Hyperferritinemia with low transferrin saturation was noted in younger family members, seven of whom were aged 20 years or less at the time of diagnosis. In those individuals first diagnosed with hemochromatosis in later life, marked hyperferritinemia was accompanied by high transferrin saturation. In contrast to the phenotype of high ferritin with low saturation first reported for ferroportin disease, this family demonstrates a phenotype of iron indices that varies with age.