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Blood Test Showed An Elevated Level Of Iron. Does It Mean I Have Hemochromatosis?

My last blood test showed an elevated level of iron, does this necessarily mean that I have Hemochromatosis? Everything else is perfect, according to my doctor, liver function normal and blood pressure at 130 over 90. I have read something about this condition. As far as I know, it is not hereditary, my mother died at 95, so did my father s sisters.
posted on Sat, 26 Jan 2013
Twitter Sun, 27 Jan 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 28 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM

Raised iron is not associated with hemochromatosis only.
Hemochromatosis is one of the causes of iron overload. It is a genetic condition. A diagonosis of hemochromatosis is made only after testing for HFE gene.

Iron overload is seen in:
1. People treated with multiple blood transfusions for thallasemia major, sickle cell disease, other red blood cell disorders.
2. Food cooked in iron utensils,
3. Excessive iron in diet leading to iron poisoning,
4. Aceruloplaminaemis, low levels of transferrin in blood, porphyria cutae tarda, etc.

If the elevation of iron level only marginal, then you can get it repeated after few days once the above mentioned causes are ruled out.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Blood Test Showed An Elevated Level Of Iron. Does It Mean I Have Hemochromatosis?

Hello and welcome to HCM Raised iron is not associated with hemochromatosis only. Hemochromatosis is one of the causes of iron overload. It is a genetic condition. A diagonosis of hemochromatosis is made only after testing for HFE gene. Iron overload is seen in: 1. People treated with multiple blood transfusions for thallasemia major, sickle cell disease, other red blood cell disorders. 2. Food cooked in iron utensils, 3. Excessive iron in diet leading to iron poisoning, 4. Aceruloplaminaemis, low levels of transferrin in blood, porphyria cutae tarda, etc. If the elevation of iron level only marginal, then you can get it repeated after few days once the above mentioned causes are ruled out. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal