HIGH IRON, Hemochromatosis

WORRRIED...Just got back my lab results.  MY SGOT/SGPT was 77/73.  Additional tests were GGT/IORN/FERRITEN 235/210/654.  They say I have hemochromatosis. I have a appt with a liver specialist next week.  I did drink quite a bit the night before my tests, but I doubt that would have caused such a HIGH elevation. How many months do I have to live?  Concerned...

[gregd64]

iron counts are usually not a problem unless you have hemochromatosis, a genetic disease in which too much iron is absorbed. Patients with hemochromatosis have excess iron deposition in the liver causing scarring and even cirrhosis. Iron deposition in the skin can give tyhe skin a bromze color. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) results from iron deposits in the liver. Heart problems arthritis and impotence have all been reported.

Hemochromatosis can be diagnosed by liver biopsy and in family members of identified cases by genetic screening tests.

And then the only treatment is blood transfusions to remove the iron.

[katyidid]

A related discussion, hemochromatosis was started.