[Diagnosis of iron overload]. / Diagnostic d'une surcharge en fer.

ABSTRACT

Hepatic iron overload conditions can be classified as genetic, mainly related to HFE haemochromatosis, and secondary, mainly associated with haematological and hepatic disorders and with metabolic syndrome. The strict affirmation of iron excess relies upon liver biopsy, MRI or calculation of the amount of iron removed through phlebotomies. Determination of its cause relies upon the assessment of transferrin saturation which, when increased, suggests the diagnosis of either haemochromatosis--implying HFE testing--or overload secondary to dysmyelopoiesis or to end-stage cirrhosis, and, when normal, suggests the diagnosis of dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome.