All about hemochromatosis  causes of hemochromatosis risk factors for hemochromatosis symptoms of hemochromatosis diagnosis of hemochromatosis treatments for hemochromatosis Articles in liver diseases - cirrhosis of the liver hemochromatosis primary sclerosing cholangitis primary biliary cirrhosis alagille syndrome alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency Crigler-Najjar syndrome hepatitis fatty liver liver transplant Wilson's disease ascites cholestasis jaundice liver encephalopathy liver failure portal hypertension |
|
How is hemochromatosis diagnosed?
The most common diagnostic methods for hemochromatosis are blood tests and liver biopsy. Blood tests will measure excessive iron levels. Concentrations of transferrin, a protein that transports iron and liver enzymes will also be measured. Serum ferritin and iron saturation are the best screening tests. Another test that measures an iron protein complex. In some cases, DNA testing for certain indications that young siblings will develop the disease will be conducted. X-ray studies of the liver, pituitary gland, and other iron absorbing organs may reveal abnormal iron deposits. CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the exams of choice for these studies.
Once a physician has identified signs of hemochromatosis with blood tests, a liver biopsy may be necessary. A liver biopsy often is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. In this procedure the patient will receive a local anesthetic and a small piece of tissue from the liver will be removed for analysis in a laboratory. Some experts recommend screening all adults for this disorder, regardless of symptoms. Testing is available for two of the more common genes associated with this disorder (found in up to 90 percent of people with hemochromatosis), but not all carriers of the genes develop the disease. |
|
|
|
| |
More information on hemochromatosis
What is hemochromatosis? - Hemochromatosis is an inherited blood disorder also known as iron overload, bronze diabetes, hereditary hemochromatosis and familial hemochromatosis.
What causes hemochromatosis? - Hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in a gene called HFE, which helps regulate the amount of iron absorbed from food.
What are the risk factors for hemochromatosis? - The risk factors for hemochromatosis are alcohol, diet, gender, blood loss, and mutation type.
What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis? - The symptoms of hemochromatosis include fatigue, weight loss, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chronic abdominal pain, and impaired sexual performance.
How is hemochromatosis diagnosed? - The most common diagnostic methods for hemochromatosis are blood tests and liver biopsy. A liver biopsy often is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
What are the treatments for hemochromatosis? - The most effective treatment of hemochromatosis is to reduce the blood iron by removing blood using phlebotomy (withdrawal of blood from the arm veins). |
|
|
|
