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Liver Biopsy Iron Concentration in Hemochromatosis

Description

The liver biopsy in patients with hemochromatosis will show increased iron stores on histology, but quantitation of iron in the biopsy is the most accurate method for diagnosing hemochromatosis. Use of newer imaging technologies (CT scanning, measurement of magnetic susceptibility) can be used to assess a patient's iron stores. However, liver biopsy is still frequently performed since this allows evaluation for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in addition to iron quantitation.


 

hepatic iron concentration in µg Fe per g dry liver weight =

= (µg of iron in liver biopsy) / (grams dry weight of liver biopsy)

 

This is converted to SI Units of µmol / gram dry liver weight.

(1) factor for conversion: 0.0179 (from: 1 / 55.8)

(2) µmol/gram dry liver weight is equivalent to mmol/kg dry liver weight

 

hepatic iron concentration in µmol Fe per g dry liver weight =

= ((µg of iron in liver biopsy) / (grams dry weight of liver biopsy)) * 0.0179

 

hepatic iron index =

= (hepatic iron concentration in µmol per g dry liver weight) / (patient's age in years)

 

Interpretation:

• reference range for hepatic iron concentration is 530-900 µg/gram dry liver weight (9.5-16.1 µmol/gram dry liver weight)

• iron index >= 1.9 is seen in homozygous hemochromatosis

• heterozygotes usually have an iron index <= 1.5

 


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