Selective<unk>  deposition (blue) in pancreatic islet beta cells (red) There are several methods available for diagnosing and monitoring<unk>  loading. Blood test Blood tests are usually the first test if there is a clinical suspicion of<unk> . Serum ferritin testing is a low-cost, readily available, and minimally invasive method for assessing body<unk>  stores. However, the major problem with using it as an indicator of<unk>  is that it can be elevated in a variety of other medical conditions including infection, inflammation, fever, liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer. Also, total<unk>  binding capacity may be low, but can also be normal. In males and postmenopausal females, normal range of serum ferritin is between 12 and 300 ng/mL (670 pmol/L) . In premenopausal females, normal range of serum ferritin is between 12 and 150 or 200 ng/mL (330 or 440 pmol/L). If the person is showing the symptoms, they may need to be tested more than once throughout their lives as a precaution, most commonly in women after menopause. Transferrin saturation is a more specific test. Genetics DNA/screening: the current standard of practice in diagnosis of haemochromatosis, places emphasis on genetic testing. Positive HFE analysis confirms the clinical diagnosis of haemochromatosis in asymptomatic individuals with blood tests showing increased<unk>  stores, or for predictive testing of individuals with a family history of haemochromatosis. The alleles evaluated by HFE gene analysis are evident in ~80% of patients with haemochromatosis; a negative report for HFE gene does not rule out haemochromatosis. First degree relatives of those with primary haemochromatosis should be screened to determine if they are a carrier or if they could develop the disease. This can allow preventive measures to be taken. Screening the general population is not recommended. Biopsy Liver biopsy is the removal of small sample in order to be studied and can determine the cause of inflammation or cirrhosis. In someone with negative HFE gene testing, elevated<unk>  status for no other obvious reason, and family history of liver disease, additional evaluation of liver<unk>  concentration is indicated. In this case, diagnosis of haemochromatosis is based on biochemical analysis and histologic examination of a liver biopsy. Assessment of the hepatic<unk>  index (HII) is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of haemochromatosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used as a noninvasive way to accurately estimate<unk>  deposition levels in the liver as well as heart, joints, and pituitary gland.
Iron overload
Zinc toxicity
Lead poisoning
Iron poisoning
Fluoride toxicity
Copper toxicity
Metal toxicity
Ochronosis