High Iron Liver Problem??

[kobyjordan]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could help.  My 60yr old Dad went for a full medical check up.  His iron levels came back very high ranging from 1000-1500 over the course of a month.  The Dr's have ruled out hemochromotosis via a blood test (even though his sister died from that disease)

He was sent to have an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound of the abdominal and a red cell study.  They detected a small lump deep inside his lung and a lesion around 2cm on his liver.  We are very scared that this is Liver Metastases.  He shows no signs of symptoms of being unwell.  He hasn't lost any weight and is carrying on doing everything he normally does.  The Dr's said they cannot biopsy the lump in the lung as it is too deep, and they do not want to biopsy the liver just yet.  They have also told us that the lump on his liver IS NOT a hemangioma.  They told us not to worry and to repeat the scan in two months time.  It's very hard not to worry when the word cancer comes up by googling 'lump lung liver'.  

The Dr's also asked my Dad if he had been exposed to tuberculosis.  He had been exposed 10years ago, as my grandfather died from this.  He also had liver problems.  

If it's not Hemochromotosis, is it possible that this could be some other genetic liver disorder?  Given that 2 direct family members died from this?  

His last blood test also came up with an abnormal liver function.  What does this mean?  Is it likely to be cancer?  We are not being given answers fast enough.

Please help.

[kobyjordan]

Hello Doctor
Thank you SO much for taking the time to reply to my questions.  You have no idea how much it means.  My father lives in Jordan (currently working there), and our home is here in Australia.  This is very worrying for me as he is not even in the country close to us.  He is to return to Australia in April to have a repeat scan and biopsy on the liver. All the blood tests have already ruled out hemochromatosis so I'm so scared that this is cancer.  Our Doctor here has told my Dad to go home to Jordan and carry on 'doing what you're doing' until April.  I think I'm going to go stir crazy waiting until April comes along.  How long does it take to get biopsy results??  Do you think this is cancer??  

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

the hemochromatosis gene test picks up 90% of the mutations.  if the liver tests are abnormal i think you should have a liver biopsy.  they can biopsy both the lesion and the surrounding liver tissue.  I don't think i would wait to deal with the liver issue. an MRI can often tell if there is excess iron in the liver.  Liver biopsy would rule out hemochromatosis.