Haemochromatosis Flashcards
What is haemochromatosis
Inherited autosomal recessive disorder leading to increased iron due to inreased intestinal absorption and release from bone marrow macrophages
What gene does haemochromatosis affect and what mutation causes this
HFE gene
Mutation - C282Y or H63D
Which combination of mutations are most and least likely to cause iron overload in haemochromatosis
C282Y/C282Y homozygous - 95% risk
C282Y/H63D -> 4% risk
H63D homozygous - least likely cause
How is haemochromatosis identified clinically
Raised ALT
Abnormal liver imaging - fatty
Elevated serum ferritin
Symptoms of haemochromatosis
Joint pain - esp hands and fingers
Fatigue
Mood disorders - depression, anxiety, mood swings
Hypogonadism
Other - abdo pain, palpitations, SOB, infertility, hair loss, amenorrhea
What age does haemochromatosis present at
40-60 in men, post menopausal in women
What does advanced haemochromatosis cause
Diabetes
Bronze skin
Hepatomegaly, cirrhosis, Arthropathy of 2nd and 3rd MCP joints
Cardiomyopahty + HF
What is secondary haemochromatosis
Iron overlaod due to parenteral iron - multiple blood transfusions, IV iron, haemotological disorders - disease of erythropoieseis - ineffecitve accumulates iron
Over supplemetnation iron esp w vit C
What is serum feerritin in haemochromatosis
15-200 (women) 300(men) = normal
Haemochromatosis = 1000s
Why do you need transferrin saturation as well as ferritin
Ferritin is also raised in chronic alcohol abuse, NAFLD, inflam conditions + malignancy - acute phase protein raised
What need for diagosis of haemochromatosis
Elevated serum ferritin and transferrin saturation + screen for genes
Assess for liver damage
When need to exclude cirrhosis in haemochromatosis
Ferritin >1000
Do you have haemochromatosis if you have the C282Y.C282Y homozygosity
No - have to also have raised iron
Can have genotype and not gene expresson
Monitor annually
Treatment for haemochromatosis
Venesection
Acute iron removal venesection how and goal
450ml blood removed
Goal to reduce SF 20-25ug/L
Continue until SF 50-100ug/L
12-18 monhts weekly
Then go to 2 weekly
Maintenance venesection
2-4 per year - keep SF 50-100