Controversy in primary care: Should asymptomatic haemochromatosis be treated? Treatment can be onerous for patient and doctor Commentary: False certainty of clinical guidance Commentary: Early treatment is essential

Genetic testing now allows haemochromatosis to be diagnosed before symptoms emerge. Testing is potentially beneficial because early treatment of iron overload is the only way to prevent organ damage. Treatment by venesection is, however, lengthy and can have a detrimental effect on quality of life, and not all patients with the mutation will develop symptoms. A general practitioner and her patient describe their experience of treatment of asymptomatic haemochromatosis and ask whether it was really necessary. Their experiences are commented on by a general practitioner and a consultant haematologist.