my doc said that my iron level is 100 points higher than normal, at what point should hemochromatosis start coming into my mind? If your doctor is monitoring your iron levels, why would you worry about it?
If or when he/she thinks it's a problem, won't they tell you what to do?
Inform yourself as much as possible and then have another chat with your doctor about what you should expect. The answer by matador89 is much more informative. A correct
diagnosis of hemochromatosis is on average made be the third
doctor a patient sees about its symptoms. So don't just wait for
your doctor to think of it. Report It
The iron level test measures the amount of iron in the blood serum that is being carried by a protein (transferrin) in the blood plasma. Medications and substances that can cause increased iron levels include chloramphenicol, estrogen preparations, dietary iron supplements, alcoholic beverages, methyldopa, and birth control pills. Medications that can cause decreased iron levels include ACTH, colchicine, deferoxamine, methicillin, and testosterone.
Serum iron level is increased in thalassemia, hemochromatosis, severe hepatitis, liver disease, lead poisoning, acute leukemia, and kidney disease. It is also increased by multiple blood transfusions and intramuscular iron injections. Iron levels above 350-500 micrograms/dL are considered toxic; levels over 1000 micrograms/dL indicate severe iron poisoning.
Serum iron level is decreased in iron deficiency anemia, chronic blood loss, chronic diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), late pregnancy, chronically heavy menstrual periods, and thyroid deficiency. Normal serum iron values are as follows - Adult males: 75-175 micrograms/dL. Adult females: 65-165 micrograms/dL. Children: 50-120 micrograms/dL. Newborns: 100-250 micrograms/dL.
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) The TIBC test measures the amount of iron that the blood would carry if the transferrin were fully saturated. Since transferrin is produced by the liver, the TIBC can be used to monitor liver function and nutrition. Normal TIBC values are as follows - Adult males: 300-400 micrograms/dL. Adult females: 300-450 micrograms/dL.
The transferrin test is a direct measurement of transferrin--which is also called siderophilin--levels in the blood. Some laboratories prefer this measurement to the TIBC. The saturation level of the transferrin can be calculated by dividing the serum iron level by the TIBC. Normal transferrin values are as follows - Adult males: 200-400 mg/dL. Adult females: 200-400 mg/dL. Children: 203-360 mg/dL. Newborns: 130-275 mg/dL. Normal transferrin saturation values are between 30-40%.
The ferritin test measures the level of a protein in the blood that stores iron for later use by the body. Medications that can cause increased ferritin levels include dietary iron supplements. In addition, some diseases that do not directly affect the body's iron storage can cause artificially high ferritin levels. These disorders include infections, late-stage cancers, lymphomas, and severe inflammations. Alcoholics often have high ferritin levels. Normal ferritin values are as follows - Adult males: 20-300 ng/mL. Adult females: 20-120 ng/mL. Children (one month): 200-600 ng/mL. Children (two to five months): 50-200 ng/mL. Children (six months to 15 years): 7-140 ng/mL. Newborns: 25-200 ng/mL.
Your concern that a metabolic disorder is causing increased absorption of iron, which is then deposited in your body tissues and organs, at present, is anticipatory. You would be advised to follow the advice of your doctor who may decide that further tests / examinations are necessary. This will be decided on when the laboratory results have been discussed. If you feel that you require more detailed information, you would be advised to consult your doctor with your concerns, and request these details.
I add a link with some details of this subject
http://www.webmd.com/
a-to-z-guides/iron-fe
Hope this helps
matador 89 |
