Iron, Liver

Diagnostic Use

Measurement of hepatic iron concentration is rarely needed due to the availability of genetic testing for haemochromatosis. The test is useful for confirming hepatic iron overload, particularly in those with haemochromatosis and no common HFE variant, or for determining the degree of iron accumulation in those with cirrhosis due to haemochromatosis.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

LV

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Fresh or dried, frozen unfixed samples ONLY accepted for liver iron analysis. No paraffin blocks.

Separating

Please store in the freezer on arrival at the laboratory, to Lipids / Trace Metals- Freezer.

Test Adds

Not applicable, for this sample type.

Synonyms

Liver Iron

Turnaround Time

4 weeks

Test Code

4263

Specimen Type

• Biopsy

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Additional Specimen Information

Two mg of liver tissue are required. This is typically a piece of tissue from a 22-gauge needle biopsy at least 2cm long. If an 18-gauge needle is used, the tissue must be at least 1 cm in length.
Specimen Volume: 2mg
After biopsy, the sample should immediately be placed on a 5cm square of aluminium foil. The foil is then folded like an envelope and placed in a urine pottle for transport to the laboratory.
On receipt in your laboratory the aluminium foil should be slightly opened and dried at 37oC for 24 hours. After drying, the foil should be tightly closed and may be sellotaped to the referral letter or request form. Drying of the sample will prevent bacterial growth and protect the liver sample from contamination by environmental iron and copper. (Alternatively, the sample in aluminium foil should be frozen and sent to the Laboratory on ice).
Brief clinical details should be included plus ferritin, iron and %saturation levels in cases of suspected haemochromatosis.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Dry overnight at 37°C or freezer - 20°C. Minimum 2.0 mg dried weight

Interpretation

Iron accumulates in the liver normally with age and the hepatic iron index (HII) normalizes hepatic iron concentration for this. The normal range for HII is less than 1.0. An HII >1.9 is usually considered diagnostic for homozygous HFE hereditary hemochromatosis. However, it can also be seen in other clinical contexts such as transfusional hemosiderosis. Therefore, it is important to interpret the result within the full clinical context. Patients with heterozygous hemochromatosis or alcoholic liver disease often have an HII ranging from 1.0 to 1.9.

Reference Intervals

350 – 1250 ug/g dry tissue

Test Method

ICP-MS

Non-Funded Test Cost

$132.66 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4268

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Contact Information

Enquiry Form