Iron Overload

Question 1

Iron Overload

Answer 1

No biomechinical pathways for removing excess iron
Just as dangerous as iron deficiency
Iron absorption closely regulated
Excess iron stored - heart, liver, endocrine organs
Primary causes - Inappropriate iron absorption
Secondary causes - Chronic liver disease, Patients with regular red blood transfusion

Question 2

Normal hepcidin action

Answer 2

Hepcidin controls ferroportein levels on enterocyte and macrophage membranes
When iron levels adequate/ high - liver produces hepcidin
When iron levels low - hepicidin levels suppressed

Question 3

Hereditary Haemochromatosis

Answer 3

Genetic condition
Inappropriately increased iron absorption from brith
Most commonly homozygous point mutation in the HFE gene
HFE - Human homeostatic iron regulator protein

Question 4

Diagnosis

Answer 4

Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin - clinical biochem

Question 5

Treatment of Iron Overload

Answer 5

Iron chelation therapy
Venesection - Therapeutic phlebotomy
Dietary advice - low iron content