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Thursday 18 April 2024

Peer Reviewed

Gastroenterology clinic

How do I deal with a patient with elevated ferritin?

Miriam Levy

Recent articles on:
Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis – a clinician’s guide

Elevated serum ferritin: identifying iron overload

Haemochromatosis: when is referral for venesection required?

Patients with presumed iron overload

Screening, investigating and managing haemochromatosis

Recent articles on:
Liver diseases

Intestinal failure – improving long-term survival

Haemochromatosis – a clinician’s guide

Nonviral hepatitis: common causes and their management

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abnormal liver function test results in pregnancy – causes and management

Abstract

Deposition of iron in the body can cause a range of problems and lead to irreversible damage. Here, Dr Levy presents her approach to investigating and managing patients with elevated serum ferritin.

Key Points

Remember

Think of hereditary haemochromatosis in a patient with an elevated serum ferritin.
Hereditary haemochromatosis is a disorder of excessive and uncontrolled iron absorption leading to accumulations of iron in the liver, heart, pancreas, pituitary, skin and joints. Iron deposition may result in: liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, congestive cardiac failure, diabetes, impotence, bronzed skin colour and arthritis. Some patients may present with only fatigue or abdominal pain.