Liver affection in iron overload studied with serum ferritin and serum aminotransferases.
Liver dysfunction as measured by S-ALAT activity was present in 72% of patients over 40 years of age with HLA-related iron overload, mainly detected by laboratory screening. Liver dysfunction was correlated to the amount of iron stored (r = 0.54, p less than 0.001). When iron was removed by phlebotomy, liver function returned to normal. S-ALAT activity was closely correlated to serum ferritin concentration (r = 0.73, p less than 0.001). Even a mild iron excess can affect hepatocytes and result in increased levels of ferritin and aminotransferases in serum. Patients with "transaminitis" should be investigated for iron overload.
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase