American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of diagnosing hemochromatosis, an elevated ferritin level is a key laboratory finding. Hemochromatosis is characterized by excessive iron accumulation in the body, which leads to increased ferritin levels as it acts as a storage form of iron. Ferritin reflects the total iron stores in the body, and when iron overload occurs, as seen in hemochromatosis, ferritin levels rise significantly.

This increase in ferritin can help differentiate hemochromatosis from other conditions that might present with different laboratory abnormalities. For example, while serum transaminases may be elevated in liver disease, they are not specific indicators of hemochromatosis and can occur in various conditions. Hemoglobin levels typically remain within normal limits until complications arise, such as liver disease or associated anemias. Vitamin B12 levels do not correlate with iron overload and are not expected to be elevated in this condition.

Therefore, elevated ferritin serves as a strong indicator of iron overload and is crucial for making a diagnosis of hemochromatosis.