Hemochromatosis laboratory findings
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Laboratory Findings
Electrolyte and Biomarker Studies
Serum transferrin saturation- A first step is the measurement of transferrin saturation, the protein which chemically binds to iron and carries it through the blood to the liver, spleen and bone marrow.[1] Measuring transferrin provides a measurement of iron in the blood. Saturation values of 45% are probably a good cutoff to determine whether a patient is a candidate for further testing. [2] The transferrin saturation is usually expressed as a percentage, and is calculated as the total serum iron level divided by the serum iron transferrin level times 100. Serum ferritin- Ferritin, the protein which chemically binds to iron and stores it in the body. Measuring ferritin provides a measurement of iron in the whole body. Normal values for males are 12-300 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) and for female, 12-150 ng/ml. Low values indicate iron deficiency, which may be attributed to a number of causes. Higher than normal also may indicate other causes including haemochromatosis.[3][4] Other blood tests routinely performed: blood count, renal function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, glucose (and/or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)).
Blood glucose monitoring for patients with hemochromatosis diabetes.
References
- ↑ Transferrin and Iron Transport Physiology
- ↑ Screening and Diagnosis
- ↑ Screening and Diagnosis
- ↑ Ferritin Test Measuring iron in the body