What iron levels are considered "suspicious" for iron overload/hemochromatosis?

Question

If I have the double gene mutation (homozygous) for hemochromatosis but am not clinically iron overloaded (have high iron levels on lab results) at this time, can I develop iron overload later, such as in 2, 5, or 10 or more years later?

Answer 1

Hemachromatosis: A number of tests are available to check iron levels, and a hematologist or blood disease specialist, will check multiple tests for iron overload. The specialist may also suggest a liver biopsy to check for iron overload.

Answer 2

See below: A non-fasting serum iron- transferrin (iron protein) percentage of more than 60% is considered suspicious and should be followed by further work-up.

Answer 3

Transferrin sat: Your best screen is transferrin saturation. Many of us think that the current recommendation of 45% or more for women, 50% of more for men miss too many people. If you actually have evidence of liver troubles (elevated SGOT / SGPT, for example), think about getting a serum ferritin. With a family history, get the gene testing to know early.

Answer 4

Fatigue, aches: A person absorbs iron from foods and oral iron supplements because human bodies require iron. If he has plenty of iron, his body won't absorb as much iron, but he will not stop absorbing iron. That means he can get iron overload by taking too high a dose of iron supplements. Iron overload damages the liver, and causes symptoms of fatigue, weakness, joint pains, abdominal pains, etc...

Answer 5

A few: Lack of energy, abdominal pain, memory fog, loss of sex drive, heart flutters, irregular heart beat. When symptoms are associated with hemochromatosis, these usually begin in men in their late 20’s to early 30’s. In women, symptoms usually start about 10-15 years after they stop having a period due to menopause, birth control pills or hysterectomy.

Answer 6

Can be deadly: Over time, excesses of iron build up in major organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, joints and pituitary. If the extra iron is not removed, these organs can become diseased, causing conditions like diabetes mellitus, irregular heart beat or heart attack, arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer, gall bladder disease, depression, impotence, infertility, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism.

Answer 7

It can be serious: Iron overload in hemochromatosis can be quite serious and result in damage to a number of organs. Liver damage is the most serious and may result in cirrhosis of the liver. Other problems may include damage to the heart with arrythmia and congestive heart failure.

Answer 8

Extremely: Untreated, it will kill you slowly and miserably. It is extremely easy to manage with phlebotomy.

Answer 9

Hard to say: It is impossible to say as there are many causes for iron overlaid and even hhc. For the common c282y homozygotes it has been approximated to be 0.44% in caucasian populations.

Answer 10

1 in 200: It's extremely common, and of all the common, serious diseases, it is the easiest to manage. If it's discovered relatively late, the person realizes they've had "the blahs" for years once phlebotomy removes the excess iron.

Answer 11

C282Y Homozygous: Most commonly seen in those with 2 copies of the c282y genetic mutation of the hfe gene. However there are other defects that may result in hhc. Hemochromatosis may result in iron overload, however not all iron overload is from hemochromatosis.

Answer 12

Mostly men: Women usually because of their menstrual cycle , they can. Loose excessive iron.

What iron levels are considered "suspicious" for iron overload/hemochromatosis?

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