Hemochromatosis
Lab Tests and Results
Serum Iron Total Iron Binding Capacity can get up to 100% Serum Ferritin Test Liver Function Test MRI
Who Will Develop Hemochromatosis?
caucasians of Northern European descent people with liver disease
pathophysiology classification
cause disruption of hepcidin serum ferritin plasma transferrin
morphological classification
development of abnormally high iron levels throughout the body
Hemochromatosis
excessive iron in the body iron overload in body can lead to organ damage
Cause of Secondary Hemochromatosis
frequent blood transfusions, patients with anemia, sickle cell anemia, Falconi's syndrome
Causes of Hereditary Hemochromatosis
gene mutation of HFE gene
Avoiding
iron supplements vitamin c supplements alcohol
Early Clinical Symptoms
joint pain, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, stomach pain
Role of Hepcidin
listens to erthryroids need for iron. will only listen causing the hepatic stores and macrophages to keep releasing iron
Late Clinical Symptoms
liver disease and cirrhosis skin color change to orange or gray damage to adrenal gland
Serum Ferritin Test
measures amount of iron contained or stored in body normal range: 50-150
Treatment
phlebotomy, iron chelation therapy
3 types of hemochromatosis
primary (hereditary) secondary neonatal
Serum Ferritin
protein that correlates with amount of iron in the body increases as iron levels increase
Plasma Transferrin
protein that transport iron around body, main role is to deliver iron from absorption centers in liver and macrophages to tissues low levels cause iron to build up
MRI
show amount of iron in the liver
Liver Function Tests
show damage to liver