Testing for haemochromatosis in the diabetic clinic.
Random serum transferrin saturation (TS) was measured in 1194 patients attending a diabetic clinic. Twenty-one patients had TS > 55% and in three of these patients repeat random TS was < 55%. Seventeen patients were recalled for fasting serum TS and ferritin measurement. Ten patients had fasting TS > 55%. The diagnosis of haemochromatosis was confirmed by liver biopsy in a total of six patients, three of whom were previously unsuspected. Haemochromatosis was the possible diagnosis in a further four patients. Family studies using HLA typing confirmed haemochromatosis in four family members, three of whom were asymptomatic. We conclude that measurement of TS is a simple and effective method of finding cases of haemochromatosis in the diabetic clinic.
George
D K
DK
Law Hospital, Carluke, Lanarkshire, UK.
Evans
R M
RM
Crofton
R W
RW
Gunn
I R
IR
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron