Porphyria cutanea tarda with menopausal exacerbation: the possible role of menstruation as natural phlebotomy

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Sep;49(3):547-50. doi: 10.1067/s0190-9622(03)00483-3.

Abstract

We describe a 48-year-old woman with a 12-year history of porphyria cutanea tarda who showed a remarkable exacerbation of her eruptions accompanied by high serum levels of iron and ferritin at menopause. As iron storage is known to be a triggering factor of porphyria cutanea tarda, the possible role of menstruation as natural phlebotomy to prevent porphyria cutanea tarda exacerbation is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Ferritins / blood
  • Ferritins / metabolism*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Iron / blood
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Menopause*
  • Menstruation / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodicity
  • Phlebotomy
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / diagnosis*
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / physiopathology
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / therapy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Ferritins
  • Iron