http://ash.confex.com/ash/2010/webpr...aper29279.html
3455 Iron Overload In Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors: Quantification of Iron Burden by Determining Non-Transferrin-Bound Iron
The study assumes that iron overload is a common feature after aSZT. The estimation of IO is currently based on serum ferritin (SF) level, but in HSCT recipients, many confounding factors can result in ferritin overestimation. Serum ferritin is affected by alloimmune reaction and infection and SF could not be used for precise monitoring of IO.
However, the current study demonstrated that SF was well correlated with Non-transferrin-bound iron/NTBI and that SF can be used for monitoring IO after AHSCT.
HF/Hyperferritinaemia is an independent risk factor for abnormal LFTs/liver function tests in AHSCT survivors as well as diabetes to a lesser extent. These results prompt us to further evaluate the benefit of iron chelating therapy or phlebotomy for patients who suffer from liver dysfunction or diabetes. (Citations in big parts)