George D K, Evans R M, Crofton R W, Gunn I R
Law Hospital, Carluke, Lanarkshire, UK.
Ann Clin Biochem. 1995 Nov;32 ( Pt 6):521-6. doi: 10.1177/000456329503200601.
Random serum transferrin saturation (TS) was measured in 1194 patients attending a diabetic clinic. Twenty-one patients had TS > 55% and in three of these patients repeat random TS was < 55%. Seventeen patients were recalled for fasting serum TS and ferritin measurement. Ten patients had fasting TS > 55%. The diagnosis of haemochromatosis was confirmed by liver biopsy in a total of six patients, three of whom were previously unsuspected. Haemochromatosis was the possible diagnosis in a further four patients. Family studies using HLA typing confirmed haemochromatosis in four family members, three of whom were asymptomatic. We conclude that measurement of TS is a simple and effective method of finding cases of haemochromatosis in the diabetic clinic.
