CASE PRESENTATION: In the current study, we present a patient who started to have
haemochromatosis symptoms after
kidney transplantation. A 37-year-old man after
kidney transplantation from a deceased donor was admitted to the hospital due to high serum
ferritin levels and impaired graft function. The patient's past medical history included arterial
hypertension, embolization of both renal arteries and
necrosis of the left femoral head.
Glomerulonephritis was suspected as a cause of CKD; however, severe
kidney failure was diagnosed, kidney biopsy was not performed, and the patient started intermittent haemodialysis. While on dialysis to treat anaemia, the patient had received
erythropoietin and
iron intravenously, and the maximal serum
ferritin level was 2115 ng/ml. After
kidney transplantation,
ferritin levels started to increase rapidly, with a maximum level of 9468 ng/ml one and a half years after surgery. His genetic study showed HFE C282Y heterozygosity. Symptoms of
haemochromatosis, such as skin
hyperpigmentation, elevated activity of
aminotransferases,
impaired glucose tolerance and
heart failure, were observed. Therapeutic phlebotomy was started, and 36 procedures were performed.
After treatment, graft function significantly improved, most
haemochromatosis symptoms resolved, and the serum
ferritin level significantly decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: