North Hollywood, CA
A 39-year-old female asked:
my brother has hemochromatosis. my ferritin level is 169, iron is 243, tibc is 379, iron saturation 64. i'm 39 and still menstruating. do i have hemochromatosis?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Stanley Lightfootanswered
Pathology 58 years experience
See below: Your ferritin is above normal and there is a strong possibility you also have this disease but your symptoms may be put off becasue you menstruate you need to see a hematologist or oncologist to be certain of the diagnosis and what to do in your case.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jonathan Songanswered
Specializes in Gynecology
Unlikely but see Doc: Hemochromatosis is usually caused by a gene defect and therefore it is hereditary, meaning you can be born with this and nothing related to what you are doing. Unless you have a history of multiple blood transfusions, it is unlikely that your iron levels will rise. Your levels are borderline elevated, but i would see your doctor if you are concerned. This disease tend to affect men more than wo.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Robertsanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Risk of disease high: This is an autosomal recessive disease. Anyone who has an affected sibling has 1 chance in 4 of inheriting the mutation from both parents; homozygous. If you inherit only 1 mutation, you are "heterozygous", with a normal gene in every cell & not develop the disease or have a positive screening test--defined as iron saturation at or above 45%. The last screening test is elevated ferritin.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
2 comments
Dr. Richard Roberts commented
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Provided original answer
If someone waits until their ferritin >300 ng/ml in men and >200 ng/ml in women, they will have a diagnosis of Hemochromatosis, which has severe consequenses. You will not be allowed to donate blood, because you have a "disease". You will be charged for all the phlebotomies you will need for the rest of your life, rather than giving a free blood donation to keep ferritin below 50.
Jun 22, 2015
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