Adipose tissue can directly express hepcidin and can also indirectly regulate the expression of hepcidin through the levels of leptin and proinflammatory cytokines to affect iron balance.287 Recent studies have shown that in obese individuals, increased fat is associated with iron homeostatic imbalance manifested as elevated ferritin, elevated serum hepcidin, and increased risk of iron overload. The gene discussed is HAMP; the disease is Tangier disease.