How to Test for Iron Overload

Iron overload, commonly called hemochromatosis, is a condition in which the body stores too much iron. You may have a hereditary form of the disease, or it may occur as a result of anemia or alcoholism. Although having a lot of iron might not sound like a problem, it can actually cause many undesirable effects, including diabetes, liver damage, abnormal heart rhythm and even congestive heart failure. If you think you may have iron overload, see your doctor for testing. An accurate diagnosis can be tricky, so your doctor likely will run many different tests.

Instructions

• 1

  Undergo a physical exam. Before ordering a lab test, your doctor will likely check for abnormal skin color, irregular heartbeat and other signs of possible iron overload. He may palpate your liver to determine if it is enlarged.

• 2

  Have your blood drawn. If your doctor determines that you may have an iron overload, he will likely order a serum transferrin saturation test. This blood test checks the amount of iron in your blood.

• 3

  Undergo a second blood test, called a serum ferritin, if your saturation level is higher than 45 percent from your serum transferrin saturation test. The serum ferritin test checks the amount of iron that your liver stores.

• 4

  Request a genetic test to determine if your hemochromatosis is hereditary. If you have hereditary hemochromatosis, the laboratory technician will find a mutated HFE gene.

• 5

  Have your doctor run a liver panel, which is another blood test, to check for possible damage to your liver. Elevated iron levels may cause permanent scarring, called cirrhosis.

• 6

  Undergo a liver biopsy to confirm the presence of liver damage if it is indicated on a liver panel. Your doctor can use a small needle to remove a sample of liver tissue for testing.