We compared initial screening data of 44,082 white and 27,124 black Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload
Screening (HEIRS) Study participants. Each underwent serum transferrin saturation (TfSat) and ferritin (SF)
measurements without regard to fasting, and HFE C282Y and H63D genotyping. Elevated measurements
were defined as: TfSat more than 50% (men), more than 45% (women); and SF more than 300 ng/ml (men),
more than 200 ng/ml (women). Mean TfSat and percentages of participants with elevated TfSat were significantly
greater in whites than in blacks. Mean SF and percentages of participants with elevated SF were significantly
greater in blacks than in whites. TfSat and SF varied by gender and age in whites and blacks. Prevalences
of genotypes that included either C282Y or H63D were significantly greater in whites than in blacks.
The prevalence of elevated TfSat and SF plus genotypes C282Y/C282Y, C282Y/H63D, or H63D/H63D was
0.006 in whites and 0.0003 in blacks. Among whites with HFE C282Y homozygosity, 76.8% of men and 46.9%
of women had elevated TfSat and SF values. Three black participants had HFE C282Y homozygosity; one
had elevated TfSat and SF values. Possible explanations for differences in TfSat and SF in whites and blacks
and pertinence to the detection of hemochromatosis, iron overload, and other disorders with similar phenotypes
are discussed.
