Test your medicine knowledge: 55-year-old man with elevated liver enzymes
Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians.
A 55-year-old man is evaluated during a routine examination. He feels well other than mild knee pain. He drinks six to eight cans of beer per night. He has no personal history of liver disease, but his older brother was recently diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis.
On physical examination, vital signs are normal; BMI is 24. He is tanned on sun-exposed body surfaces. Cardiac examination is normal. Abdominal examination reveals hepatomegaly. Bilateral bony hypertrophy of the knees is noted.
Laboratory studies:
Alanine aminotransferase
70 U/L
Aspartate aminotransferase
160 U/L
Ferritin
592 ng/mL (592 µg/L)
Transferrin saturation
40%
Genetic testing for hemochromatosis reveals heterozygosity for C282Y. Abdominal ultrasound reveals a change in liver echotexture consistent with fatty changes.
Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment?
A: Administer deferoxamine
B: Perform phlebotomy
C: Repeat serum iron tests now
D: Stop alcohol intake
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Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: mksap Tags: Conditions GI Source Type: blogs
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