Hepatic iron concentrations shown are those in normal individuals (approximately 0.6 to 1.2 mg iron per gram liver, dry weight)²⁰⁹; concentrations observed in heterozygotes for hereditary hemochromatosis associated with normal survival free of the complications of iron overload (approximately 3.2 to 7 mg iron per gram liver, dry weight),214 designated “optimal” (see text) and considered a goal for transfusion-dependent patients in whom phlebotomy cannot safely decrease body iron burden; concentrations associated with an increased risk of iron-induced complications including hepatic fibrosis and diabetes mellitus (exceeding 7 mg iron per gram liver, dry weight)^215,217,218; and concentrations associated with a greatly increased risk for iron-induced cardiac disease and early death (at or exceeding 15 mg iron per gram liver, dry weight).91 Mean hepatic iron concentrations for patients with thalassemia major studied before the availability of iron-chelating therapy,61 and those observed in homozygotes and heterozygotes for hereditary hemochromatosis.214