Palmer WC, Vishnu P, Sanchez W, Aqel B, Riegert-Johnson D, Seaman LAK, Bowman AW, Rivera CE. Diagnosis and Management of Genetic Iron Overload Disorders.
J Gen Intern Med 2018;
33:2230-2236. [PMID:
30225768 PMCID:
PMC6258594 DOI:
10.1007/s11606-018-4669-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Iron overload disorders lead to excess iron deposition in the body, which can occur as a result of genetic or secondary causes. Genetic iron overload, referred to as hereditary hemochromatosis, may present as a common autosomal recessive mutation or as one of several uncommon mutations. Secondary iron overload may result from frequent blood transfusions, exogenous iron intake, or certain hematological diseases such as dyserythropoietic syndrome or chronic hemolytic anemia. Iron overload may be asymptomatic, or may present with significant diseases of the liver, heart, endocrine glands, joints, or other organs. If treated appropriately prior to end-organ damage, life expectancy has been shown to be similar compared to matched populations. Alongside clinical assessment, diagnostic studies involve blood tests, imaging, and in some cases liver biopsy. The mainstay of therapy is periodic phlebotomy, although oral chelation is an option for selected patients.
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