"Otherwise known as haemochromatosis, the Celtic Curse is a little-known genetic disease that causes a buildup of iron in the blood. If left untreated, haemochromatosis can lead to liver damage, diabetes, arthritis, and heart problems. Now researchers from the University of Edinburgh have mapped its prevalence across the UK and Ireland for the first time. And their data confirms that the condition really does live up to its Celtic nickname."
"Their analysis revealed that people with ancestry from the north-west of Ireland have the highest risk of developing the Celtic Curse. One in 54 people from this area is estimated to carry the C282Y genetic variant, compared to just one in 218 in the southwest of England. Haemochromatosis is not always obvious right away, and it can take decades for symptoms to emerge as high iron levels damage the organs."
Haemochromatosis, known as the Celtic Curse, causes a buildup of iron in the blood that can lead to liver damage, diabetes, arthritis, and heart problems. Genetic data from over 400,000 individuals in UK BioBank and Viking Genes were analysed to map prevalence across the UK and Ireland and to identify the C282Y variant distribution. People with ancestry from north‑west Ireland have the highest carrier rate (one in 54), with elevated rates in the Outer Hebrides (one in 62), Northern Ireland (one in 71), and parts of mainland Scotland (one in 171). Carrier prevalence is much lower in southwest England (one in 218). Symptoms can take decades to appear, making early detection and interventions such as regular blood donation important to prevent long‑term organ damage.
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