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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Do High Blood Pressure And High Ferritin Levels Damage The Liver?

Diagnosed with NASH 1 1/2 years ago when first diagnosed with Hemochromatosis. Enzyme levels back to normal as is the size of my liver. Current ferritin level is 6. High blood pressure discovered a month ago and dr. has me on 12.5mg of HCTZ a day. Will this caused any damage to my liver? 48 yr. old male 6ft. 263 lbs.
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Thanks for posting your concern on HCM!
I appreciate your concern for the high BP and high Ferritin levels.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ - 12.5 mg/day) is used to treat mild hypertension and it seems your BP is well controlled with this dose.

HCTZ is unlikely to cause liver damage, however patients with severe liver disease or cirrhosis are very susceptible to thiazide-induced electrolyte disturbances ( hypokalemic hypochloremic alkalosis) which can cause hepatic coma.

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder in which excess of iron is stored in the tissues of major organs, especially liver, pancreas, heart and testes.

Serum ferritin measures the amount of iron stored in the body.
For adults, the ideal range is 50-150 ng/ml.

Over a period of years, the stored iron can severely damage many organs, leading to organ failure and chronic diseases such as cirrhosis, diabetes and heart failure.

Regular removal of blood (phlebotomy) can be done every 8 weeks.
Serum ferritin drops about 30ng/mL with each full unit (500 cc) of blood removed.The goal is to bring blood ferritin levels to an ideal range of 50-150 ng/mL.

Hope your doubts have been clarified to your satisfaction. Should you need to ask more queries, please feel free to send them to HCM.

Best regards!

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Do High Blood Pressure And High Ferritin Levels Damage The Liver?

Thanks for posting your concern on HCM! I appreciate your concern for the high BP and high Ferritin levels. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ - 12.5 mg/day) is used to treat mild hypertension and it seems your BP is well controlled with this dose. HCTZ is unlikely to cause liver damage, however patients with severe liver disease or cirrhosis are very susceptible to thiazide-induced electrolyte disturbances ( hypokalemic hypochloremic alkalosis) which can cause hepatic coma. Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder in which excess of iron is stored in the tissues of major organs, especially liver, pancreas, heart and testes. Serum ferritin measures the amount of iron stored in the body. For adults, the ideal range is 50-150 ng/ml. Over a period of years, the stored iron can severely damage many organs, leading to organ failure and chronic diseases such as cirrhosis, diabetes and heart failure. Regular removal of blood (phlebotomy) can be done every 8 weeks. Serum ferritin drops about 30ng/mL with each full unit (500 cc) of blood removed.The goal is to bring blood ferritin levels to an ideal range of 50-150 ng/mL. Hope your doubts have been clarified to your satisfaction. Should you need to ask more queries, please feel free to send them to HCM. Best regards!