Hereditary disease is largely undiagnosed

I WOULD like to support Kate Hyde’s plea for the need to educate the public on the different types of diabetes (Letters, Sept 8).

She has clearly explained the difference between types 1 and 2, and is quite correct about the extent of ignorance about diabetes that exists among some sections of the public.

In addition to the causes given by Ms Hyde for Type 2 diabetes, there is another condition that is particularly relevant to Ireland. This is the hereditary disease called haemochromatosis, or iron overload. This disease is estimated to occur in about 1% of the Irish population — a much higher rate than in other countries. Individuals with this condition are unable to regulate the level of iron in their bodies, with the result that it slowly builds up in many of the organs, including the pancreas and the liver, leading to Type 2 diabetes and other serious conditions.