Atlas Protocol · Clinical Prevention

Atlas Iron & Copper Storage Module

8-gene panel for hemochromatosis and Wilson disease and related storage disorders.

An 8-gene panel covering hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE), Wilson disease (ATP7B), and related iron and copper storage disorders.

GenDG §10

Bookable, after medical review.

Before the analysis, a specialist in human genetics reviews your preparation questionnaire and informs you (GenDG). If the test is declined, Atlas refunds the full amount.

HOW IT WORKS

How it works.

  1. 01

    Pay

    You pay Atlas for Atlas Baseline and the analysis.

  2. 02

    Questionnaire and physician review

    You receive a questionnaire by email from the physician's practice, and a specialist in human genetics reviews it. If the test is declined, you get a full automatic refund.

  3. 03

    Counselling slot

    You choose a counselling slot or join the waitlist.

  4. 04

    Consent, kit and result

    After the counselling you give your consent, then we ship your collection kit. The physician discusses the result with you.

WHICH PART OF YOUR BODY

Which part of your body.

  • Liver
  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Joints
  • Pancreas
WHAT THIS PANEL ANSWERS

What this panel answers.

Do you carry inherited variants that cause your body to store too much iron or copper, damaging organs over time?

WHAT CHANGES IF A FINDING IS IDENTIFIED

What changes if something is found.

  1. HFE-hemochromatosis carriers receive regular ferritin and transferrin-saturation monitoring. If iron overload develops, therapeutic phlebotomy is the standard treatment and prevents irreversible liver cirrhosis, diabetes, and cardiomyopathy.
  2. Wilson-disease carriers (ATP7B) require specialist hepatology and neurology care. Chelation and zinc therapy prevent progressive liver and neurological damage.
  3. Both conditions are highly treatable when caught early and progressive when missed.
Pathway references
  • GenDG §7
GENES ANALYZED

What is analyzed.

Atlas analyzes each gene in its entirety -- not just hotspot regions -- against current clinical literature. Findings are assessed by a specialist in human genetics before release.

Iron & Copper Storage Disorders

8 genes

An 8-gene panel for inherited iron- and copper-overload disorders. The most common indication is HFE-associated hemochromatosis; the panel also covers ATP7B (Wilson disease) and rarer iron-handling genes.

Clinical areas covered
  • Hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE-related and rare subtypes)
  • Wilson disease (ATP7B)
  • Aceruloplasminemia
Analyzed genes -- 8 genes
  • ATP7B
  • CP
  • GLRX5
  • HAMP
  • HFE
  • HJV
  • SLC40A1
  • TFR2

Gene list version 2026-05.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Why early knowledge matters.

  • Iron & Copper Storage Disorders

    Untreated hemochromatosis silently deposits iron in the liver, pancreas, and heart -- leading to cirrhosis, diabetes, and cardiomyopathy. Untreated Wilson disease causes progressive liver and neurological damage. Both are highly treatable when detected before organ damage: scheduled phlebotomy normalizes iron stores, and chelation plus zinc therapy controls copper.

RESULT INTERPRETATION

How findings are reported.

Every Atlas predictive report uses the same five-outcome framework so you and your physician can read it the same way each time.

  1. 01

    Pathogenic variant

    Increased disease risk. The report includes an individualized prevention plan and a recommendation to discuss next steps with a physician or medical geneticist.

  2. 02

    Likely pathogenic variant

    Probable disease association. Preventive monitoring is typically justified; the strength of evidence is documented in the report.

  3. 03

    Variant of uncertain significance (VUS)

    Reported but not currently actionable. A VUS may be reclassified over time as new evidence accumulates -- Atlas does not act on VUS findings without specialist review.

  4. 04

    No relevant variant in this panel

    No pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant was identified in the analyzed genes. This does not eliminate all genetic risk -- only the genes in this panel were assessed.

  5. 05

    Family implications

    When an actionable variant is found, cascade testing of first-degree relatives is typically recommended -- a decision made together with a counselor.

Module-specific implications

  • Iron & Copper Storage Disorders

    • Hemochromatosis findings inform ferritin and transferrin-saturation monitoring, and a phlebotomy schedule when iron stores climb.
    • Wilson disease findings are typically followed up with serum ceruloplasmin, 24-hour urinary copper, and an ophthalmology slit-lamp exam -- coordinated by a physician.
Counseling and cascade testing

Predictive genetic testing in Germany requires consultation with a physician qualified in human genetics under §7 of the GenDG (Arztvorbehalt). This counseling, before and after the test, is given by a specialist in human genetics. When an actionable finding has implications for relatives, this physician discusses cascade testing with you, not Atlas alone.

CLINICAL LIMITATIONS

What this test does not do.

  • Not a diagnosis of active disease

    A variant indicates predisposition. It does not confirm a condition is currently present.

  • Does not replace screening or routine care

    Imaging, lab work, and physical examination remain part of clinical care. Atlas results inform them; they do not substitute for them.

  • Not all risk is genetic

    Environment, behavior, age, and chance contribute to most common conditions. A genetic test reads one input.

  • A negative result does not eliminate risk

    Only the genes on the panel were analyzed. Variants in other genes, in non-coding regions, and outside the assay's technical scope are not assessed.

  • Clinical decisions remain with your physician

    Atlas reports are designed to be reviewed with a physician or medical geneticist. We do not recommend acting on a finding without that conversation.

GenDG §7

Predictive panels on this page are GenDG §7 Arztvorbehalt: counseling with a qualified human-genetics physician is required before and after the test. This counseling is given by a specialist in human genetics.

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