[Management of hyperferritinemia].
Hemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in persons of northern European descent, and the majority of cases are caused by a mutation in the gene HFE. Genetic testing for hemochromatosis is therefore indicated in all patients with increases in transferrine saturation and ferritin levels. When this genetic testing does not demonstrate a hemochromatosis, other diseases responsible for elevated ferritin levels have to be ruled out, mainly hemolytic anemia, chronic inflammatory disorders, liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C, alcohol abuse, and non alcoholic fatty liver disease. In demonstrated iron overload with absence of classic causes, second-line genetic testing should be considered.
Delwaide
J
J
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgique.
Giet
D
D
Lamproye
A
A
Belaïche
J
J
D000465:Algorithms; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D019189:Iron Metabolism Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics
D005293:Ferritins