The iron and testosterone levels in amoebic liver abscess patients - a preliminary study from northern Sri Lanka

Amoebic liver abscesses (ALA) are observed among adult males who consume locally brewed alcohol in the tropics. The contributory role of alcohol-induced hepatic iron stores and the male hormone testosterone were said to be playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ALA. This descriptive preliminary study was intended to see a possible relationship of serum iron profile and testosterone level among toddy (a local palm wine) drinkers who presented with ALA to the Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Results have shown very high serum ferritin levels (902.58ng/ml) in these patients with ALA. However, the serum iron levels (43.05µg/dl) and the transferrin saturation levels (22.01%) were observed to be normal or below normal and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) level was unexpectedly low (193.3µg/dl) for the corresponding low serum iron levels. Furthermore, the serum testosterone level (2.44ng/ml) was also low or low normal when compared with the reference range in the study population. As this preliminary study contrasts with previously postulated theories, further study is recommended to arrive at a concrete conclusion.