Hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in the western world, affecting an estimated one in 300 Canadians of Northern European descent. (Hemochromatosis is sometimes called “the Celtic Curse” as it may impact as many as one in 20 people with Celtic ancestry.)

Hemochromatosis is a genetic, metabolic disorder that results in iron overload. In other words, the body absorbs and retains too much dietary iron. The disorder can affect many organ systems including the liver, pancreas, heart and endocrine glands. And though it is potentially fatal, the disorder is easily treated if diagnosed early.

Treatment for hemochromatosis involves many avenues, including the removal of excess iron from the blood. The designers of a new app believe their creation will simplify what can be a complicated treatment process.

The app is a joint project between Andrew Hamilton-Wright (a mathematics and computer science professor at Mount Allison University) and Gary Grewal, a professor at the University of Guelph’s School of Computer Science in Ontario.

“The Iron Tracker App… gives patients a single place where treatment and life-long progress can be tracked,” Hamilton-Wright says.

The project, which was launched in February, has been funded with NSERC Discovery Grant funds and $8,000 from Mount Allison.

According to Hamilton-Wright, the app will ideally aid treatment management, improve the health of patients and reduce health care costs. The app could also aid the collection of hemochromatosis-related data.

“Such data will allow for improved understanding of the disease,” Hamilton-Wright says, “and lead to better treatment and general health for affected people.”