Table 4.

TFR2-Related Hemochromatosis: Treatment of Manifestations

Manifestation/ConcernTreatmentConsiderations/Other
Liver disease Phlebotomy & iron chelation as needed (See Targeted Therapy.)Although cirrhosis is not reversible by phlebotomy, persons w/cirrhosis benefit from iron removal to ↓ risk of HCC.
Vaccination against hepatitis A & B
  • Varices: endoscopic surveillance; prophylaxis w/nonselective beta-blockers
  • Ascites: salt restriction & diuretics, & paracentesis & shunts if needed
  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: antibiotic therapy
  • Hepatic encephalopathy: nutritional modifications (low-protein diet) & lactulose & rifaximin as needed
  • Liver disease mgmt aims to prevent complications of cirrhosis & liver decompensation.
  • There are no reports of liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease in persons w/TFR2-HC.
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Gonadotropin treatment for infertility
Usually not reversable by iron removal & therefore requires lifelong treatment
Diabetes mellitus Insulin treatmentIron removal may improve control of diabetes mellitus but cannot reestablish normal glucose metabolism.
Cardiac failure
  • Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, cardiac glycosides
  • Iron chelation by intravenous or subcutaneous desferrioxamine, or oral deferiprone & deferasirox
  • Lifelong treatment is required in those w/cardiac disease.
  • To date, oral deferiprone & deferasirox are not approved for treatment of TFR2-HC.
Arthropathy
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Physiotherapy
Joint replacement has been performed in some affected persons.

ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; HCC = hepatocellular cancer; TFR2-HC = TFR2-related hemochromatosis

From: TFR2-Related Hemochromatosis

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