Iron

Question 1

Typical plasma iron

Answer 1

4mg

Question 2

Two biggest stores of iron (other than in Hb)

Answer 2

Parenchymal tissue e.g. liver

Macrophages

Question 3

Serum ferritin is an indirect measure of…

Answer 3

storage iron

Question 4

% saturation of ferritin is a measure of…

Answer 4

iron supply

Question 5

Transporter of iron in duodenum

Answer 5

DMT-1

Question 6

Ferroportin

Answer 6

Facilitates iron export from enterocytes

Question 7

Hypocromic microcytic anaemias are caused by…

Answer 7

Deficient synthesis of haemoglobin

Question 8

Clinical features of hereditary haemochromatosis

Answer 8

Asymptomatic in early disease
Weakness/fatigue
Arthritis
Cirrhosis
Diabetes
Cardiomyopathy

Question 9

Molecular cause of hereditary haemochromatosis

Answer 9

HFE mutations- autosomal recessive

Question 10

Treatment of hereditary haemochromatosis

Answer 10

Venesection weekly 450-500ml

Question 11

Reasons for iron-loading (5)

Answer 11

Repeated red cell transfusions
Thalassaemia syndromes
Sideroblastic anaemia
Red cell aplasia
Myelodysplasia

Question 12

Treatment of iron overload

Answer 12

iron-chelating agents