Hereditary hemochromatosis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia; A case report

Abstract

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disease associated with highly iron overload. This disease caused by genetic mutations inherited through family. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is also an important autoimmune disease in which red blood cells (RBC) are destroyed mostly in spleen, extravascular hemolysis, and is related to secondary hemochromatosis. Here in this report, we report a 42-year-old woman diagnosed and treated as resistant autoimmune hemolytic anemia for almost 8 years and then diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis caused by HFE gene mutation (C282Y homozygous genotype). We suggest that in steroid dependent autoimmune hemolytic anemia cases, serum iron and ferritin measurements should be conducted regularly and a possible diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis or secondary hemochromatosis should be considered even if no familial history is existed.

Keywords

• hemochromatosis
• hemolytic anemia
• hereditary hemochromatosis
• autoimmune hemolytic anemia