Comment on the variation of plasma iron and ferritin levels in liver cirrhosis patients

ABSTRACT

Background: Anemia in patients with liver cirrhosis can be due to either iron deficiency as the result of gastroesophageal bleeding or vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency in patients with alcohol - induced liver cirrhosis. Nevertheless excessive iron level in liver can induce damages to hepatic cells and further advance the cirrhosis process. Objective: To investigate the function of iron in the treatment of anemia in liver cirrhosis patients, collecting data on plasma iron and ferritin concentrations. Subjects and method: Research on 100 patients with liver cirrhosis has been conducted at Department of Gastroenterology, Bach Mai Hospital. Results: 59% patients had low plasma iron level and 9% had high level whereas 13% and 61 % patients had low and high plasma ferritin levels respectively. Plasma iron levels reduced significantly at patients with liver cirrhosis at advanced stage (p < 0.01) and at patients with gastroesophageal (GE) haemorrhage (p < 0.05). Plasma ferritin levels reduced in patients with gastroesophageal bleeding (p < 0.05) but increased in patients with liver cirrhosis at advanced stage (p <0.01) and at alcohol - induced liver cirrhosis patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: For patients having chronic anemia, plasma levels of iron and ferritin should be determined before a decision of prescribing iron being made.