Between 1998 and 2001 we had the opportunity for the first time to study a large population, genotyping all participants for the HFE mutations and comparing symptoms, laboratory findings, and survival in homozygotes for the HFE C282Y mutation, C282Y/H63D compound heterozygotes, and homozygous wildtype individuals. When we first presented our results at the ASH meeting in 2000, having analyzed data from 26,000 genotyped subjects, ²⁷ they were surprising. Although many homozygotes manifested the non-specific symptoms that are associated with hemochromatosis—fatigue, arrhythmias, impotence, and arthralgias—the prevalence of such symptoms proved to be no higher than those in homozygous wildtype controls (Figure1). There was no demonstrable effect on lifespan. The only significant difference found between homozygotes for the C282Y mutation and controls was a higher prevalence of abnormal liver function tests. Upon completion of the study, ¹⁷⁻¹⁹ the preliminary findings were con-influenced by it.