Serial monitoring of serum ferritin Correct Answer 4. Resolution of impotence Correct Answer 6. All of the above Correct Answer 7. Identifies the ideal patient for liver transplantation Correct Answer 8. A fasting sample is ideal.
Serum transferrin is a component of the total iron binding capacity and falls late in the disease.
Serum ferritin is a marker of body iron stores and increases with age. It can also be elevated in the setting of inflammation and neoplasia. Both the serum ferritin and transferrin saturation should be interpreted with consideration of the patient's age, sex and other conditions predisposing to abnormalities in these tests. An annual serum ferritin can be done in this setting and a rising ferritin would be a stronger indication to proceed to liver biopsy if no other source of chronic inflammation is apparent. Some alcoholics will have mild to moderate increases in transferrin saturation and serum ferritin.