[Elevated serum ferritin and hemochromatosis in general practice].
BACKGROUND
We wanted to examine how many of our patients with elevated serum ferritin had undetected haemochromatosis.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Mouland
Gunnar
G
Legegruppen Grandgården, 4841 Arendal. gunnar.mouland@hnsor.no
Bratland
Bjørn
B
Hornnes
Magn-Bjørn
MB
Asser
Hans Petter
HP
Lier
Jan
J
Reiso
Harald
H
Rygh
Ellen
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins