Monitoring
The frequency of follow-up for patients in the maintenance phase of treatment for iron overload varies depending on the patient. However, a general rule is to check laboratory work 3 to 4 times a year with an FBC and serum ferritin.
Iron chelation therapy can be associated with visual and auditory changes, and so patients should have their vision and hearing checked at least yearly.
Patients with documented cirrhosis must be screened for hepatocellular carcinoma with liver ultrasound every 6 months.[8][54] Hepatocellular carcinoma screening may also be suggested in patients with advanced fibrosis.[8] If ultrasound provides sub-optimal results, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans should be used.[8]
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