Hemochromatosis

Question 1

what is hemochromatosis

Answer 1

increased iron in the blood

Question 2

what usually causes high ferritin levels

Answer 2

inflammation
infection
liver disease
renal disease
ETOH
metabolic syndrome
malignancy

Question 3

what initially lab work is recommended for the patient with raised ferritin

Answer 3

repeat ferritin
TSAT
CBC
Cr
LFTs
BG
Lipids

Question 4

is testing for hereditary hemochromatosis recommended

Answer 4

no, not in patients on non european ancestry as it is very rare

Question 5

which ethnicity will have higher ferritin levels

Answer 5

East asian descent will be 1.5 -2X higher

Question 6

true or false: high ferritin indicates iron overload

Answer 6

false

Question 7

how do you test for iron overload

Answer 7

TSAT >45%

Question 8

what are signs and symptoms of high ferritin

Answer 8

general non specific that are more related to underlying conditions than the ferritin itself

Question 9

when is genetic testing for HFE-HH recommended

Answer 9

european descent with persistently elevated ferritin and TSAT >45%