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What Is The Correlation Between Tummy Edema And High Iron Levels?

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015

Question: Hello, my Doctor went on sick leave for three months over a year ago and now I get flip flopped someone new everytime. I was told over a month ago that I have high iron levels in my blood but there was nothing done. Something showed up on my liver test and so for some reason he asked if I had hepatitis and so I went for the test over 5 weeks ago and no call back. I do have a fatty liver and tummy adema can this be caused from the high iron levels that I didn't know I had and what can I do about the levels?

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
NO RELATION BETWEEN THE TWO!

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thanks for your queries!

After going through and analysing the situation/history, I can suggest followings:

1. tummy edema or ascites is related to mild chronic hepatitis or could be related to some severe form of fatty liver

2. high serum iron/ferritn level is related to chronic liver disease, hemolytic conditions, chronic kidney diseases, blood transfusion etc.

There, I need to analyse you liver function test reports for a better opinion;

Please share the same for further comments; thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (19 minutes later)

So you are saying the liver issue is causing the high iron. What do I do about the high iron level. Do they have to remove some blood to help with this? Is a fatty liver considered Chronic Liver Disease...I am very scared right now! I have had the adema for many years.

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I think so BUT this is treatable!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! thanks for your feedback!

Your high iron level could be considered as secondary hemosiderosis most commonly seen in liver cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases; but primary hemosiderosis is generally genetic...!

Fatty liver not itself but its complications like steatohepatitis may cause early cirrhotic changes and this in turn causes edema..!

The treatment of high iron level is dependent upon the severity as follows:

1. mild: dietary restrictions

2. moderate: oral iron chelators

3. severe: intravenous iron chelators and therapeutic bleeding/removal of blood

Therefore, please see a hematologist as there are possible and potential treatment options and nothing to lose hope;

Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (18 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. Samanta, I am sorry but I am very nervous as there is no cure for Cirrhosis? I appreciate your time and I will follow up with my doctor and find out the iron levels as he did not share them with me.

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please don't get nervous; please discuss it first!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! I think this is too early to be worried so much; you may not have cirrhosis, but some kind of other liver problems like autoimmune hepatitis, early cirrhotic changes etc...

Therefore, please see your doctor for confirmation and to discuss about the treatment options...

Wishing you good health!

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj