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Can IV Iron Infusion Cause Liver Damage?
Question: I am 48 years old female. I do not drink alcohol.
Facts from labs
Fatty enlarged liver
kidneys normal
underdistended gallbladder
FE TIBC FER
Iron serum 37L
Iron Binding 377 normal range
%saturation 10L
Ferritin Serum 9 L Low
So I am getting a series of Iron (venefer Infusions);
I had a series of infusions two years ago
Normal colonoscopy
heavy periods--anemia cause
My question:
could the Fe infusions be causing liver damage?
what tests should I be pursuing for causation or correlation of enlarged liver?
Facts from labs
Fatty enlarged liver
kidneys normal
underdistended gallbladder
FE TIBC FER
Iron serum 37L
Iron Binding 377 normal range
%saturation 10L
Ferritin Serum 9 L Low
So I am getting a series of Iron (venefer Infusions);
I had a series of infusions two years ago
Normal colonoscopy
heavy periods--anemia cause
My question:
could the Fe infusions be causing liver damage?
what tests should I be pursuing for causation or correlation of enlarged liver?
Brief Answer:
can be caused by obesity, diabetes or alcohol use
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
fatty liver (which also cause the liver to be mildly enlarged) is usually caused by one of the following three:
- obesity (or been overweight)
- diabetes mellitus
- alcohol abuse.
Does any of the above apply to you?
The iron supplementation is not supposed to cause fatty liver or liver damage because your tests are showing that you don't have enough iron in your body. If you had excess iron then it could indeed cause liver damage (but not fatty liver enlargement).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
can be caused by obesity, diabetes or alcohol use
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
fatty liver (which also cause the liver to be mildly enlarged) is usually caused by one of the following three:
- obesity (or been overweight)
- diabetes mellitus
- alcohol abuse.
Does any of the above apply to you?
The iron supplementation is not supposed to cause fatty liver or liver damage because your tests are showing that you don't have enough iron in your body. If you had excess iron then it could indeed cause liver damage (but not fatty liver enlargement).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do not drink alcohol
I am overweight but not obese
What follow up tests would you recommend?
And if I lose weight will it reverse the enlarged liver or just prevent further damage?
What will the MRI tell me?
Is there a more conclusive test?
I am overweight but not obese
What follow up tests would you recommend?
And if I lose weight will it reverse the enlarged liver or just prevent further damage?
What will the MRI tell me?
Is there a more conclusive test?
Brief Answer:
being overweight is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information!
Being overweight is the most common cause of fatty liver. If you've got this diagnosis after an ultrasound scan then this is enough. The MRI is a more detailed test but I doubt it will add anything useful to the assessment of your liver status.
Usually the liver enzymes are mildly elevated - this is the reason why radiological tests are ordered most of the times. Following up with repeat tests of the liver enzymes may show improvement if the patient has lost weight in the mean time. More serious elevations of the liver enzymes may be associated with progression to steatohepatitis, which is a more serious form of the fatty liver. This kind of liver insult is thankfully not so common. Most people with fatty liver, never progress to either steatohepatitis or cirrhosis.
The most conclusive test for the liver is biopsy but it's not recommended for fatty liver disease without complications.
Kind Regards!
being overweight is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information!
Being overweight is the most common cause of fatty liver. If you've got this diagnosis after an ultrasound scan then this is enough. The MRI is a more detailed test but I doubt it will add anything useful to the assessment of your liver status.
Usually the liver enzymes are mildly elevated - this is the reason why radiological tests are ordered most of the times. Following up with repeat tests of the liver enzymes may show improvement if the patient has lost weight in the mean time. More serious elevations of the liver enzymes may be associated with progression to steatohepatitis, which is a more serious form of the fatty liver. This kind of liver insult is thankfully not so common. Most people with fatty liver, never progress to either steatohepatitis or cirrhosis.
The most conclusive test for the liver is biopsy but it's not recommended for fatty liver disease without complications.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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