H63D mutation of the hemochromatosis gene and serum ferritin levels in Thai thalassemia carriers

We determined the prevalence of the H63D and the IVS5#1G-A HFE mutations in 370 (169 males and 201 females) Thai thalassemia carriers and 201 normal subjects. While no IVS5#1G-A mutation was found, the H63D heterozygosity was identified in 5.5% (11/201) of normal subjects and 7.3% (27/370) of thalassemia carriers. Within the thalassemic group, the medians (ranges) of serum ferritin were 217.5 ng/ml (20.1-424.3) and 169.8 ng/ml (3.9-3,536.0) in male subjects and 30.4 ng/ml (11.9-130.7) and 49.3 ng/ml (0.6-931.0) in female subjects with (HD) and without (HH) H63D mutation, respectively. The proportions of subjects with elevated ferritin were found to be 37.5% (6/16) for HD and 14.0% (18/129) for HH in male and 0% (0/11) for HD and 3.0% (5/164) for HH in female subjects, respectively. Statistical analysis of all the data revealed no significant difference. Among 14 Hb E/beta-thalassemia patients, no difference in hematological data as well as serum ferritin levels was observed between those with (HD) and without (HH) H63D mutation. Therefore, the H63D heterozygosity has no significant effect on the serum ferritin level and screening for this HFE mutation in thalassemic patients is not recommended.