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A person can ask his or her doctor to check body iron levels with the following tests: Serum iron -- (SI) This test is best conducted after fasting for at least three hours. Also, iron or vitamin C supplements should be discontinued at least three days before taking the test. Do not discontinue other medication unless your doctor tells you to. Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) -- This test tells how well the your body binds iron. Serum iron divided by TIBC x 100% gives you important information about the transferrin-iron saturation percentage (TS%). TS% is usually 25-35%; in some people with iron overload, the TS% is very high. There are other types of iron overload where the TS% is normal. Serum ferritin (SF) -- This measures the amount of iron stored in the body.
Normal levels of serum ferritin are different for men, women and children. If a person has high body iron, the TS% is elevated and the serum ferritin is elevated. There are exceptions to these test results; see other types of hemochromatosis. |
In the past, liver biopsy was widely used to diagnose hemochromatosis. Today, liver biopsy is not necessary to diagnose the inherited form of HHC. DNA tests are available to determine if a person has genetic hemochromatosis. |
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