Hemoglobin Lepore Washington and Hemochromatosis in a Hungarian Patient

Abstract
A Hungarian family with 4 heterozygotes for Hb Lepore Washington was described. A 43 yr old male had high levels of serum Fe, saturated Fe-binding capacity, ferritin and normal levels of folic acid and vitamin B12. Liver biopsy showed slight cirrhosis and marked Fe deposition in parenchymal cells and in cells of the RES. Heavy Fe deposition was also found in the bone marrow. The patient was not an alcoholic and had no disease that required blood transfusion. The hemochromatosis was apparently of idiopathic nature.