Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

    Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2005 Jan 6;125(1):20-2.

    [Elevated serum ferritin and hemochromatosis in general practice]

    [Article in Norwegian]

    Mouland G, Bratland B, Hornnes MB, Asser HP, Lier J, Reiso H, Rygh E.

    Legegruppen Grandgården, 4841 Arendal. gunnar.mouland@hnsor.no

    Comment in:

    BACKGROUND: We wanted to examine how many of our patients with elevated serum ferritin had undetected haemochromatosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searches in our patient files showed that 519 persons aged 20-70 had tested positively for elevated serum ferritin over the five-year period 1996-2000. 379 of these (73%) were found suitable for follow up and were offered examination for serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. 291 of these (77%) came in. Patients with elevated transferrin saturation had a gene test for haemochromatosis. RESULTS: 23 of the 291 persons with elevated serum ferritin also had elevated transferrin saturation (8%). 12 out of 23 (52%) were homozygote for the haemochromatosis mutation C282Y. INTERPRETATION: In our opinion, persons with elevated serum ferritin should be offered a control of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. If both these tests show elevated levels, a gene test for haemochromatosis should be performed. Persons who are homozygote for the haemochromatosis mutation should have a follow up with testing of serum ferritin with some years' intervals in order to secure that venesection is started in due time.

    PMID: 15643457 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    Supplemental Content

    Click here to read Click here to read