Editing Hereditary haemochromatosis (section)

===Liver biopsy===
[[Liver biopsy|Liver biopsies]] involve taking a sample of tissue from the liver, using a thin needle. The amount of iron in the sample is then quantified and compared to normal, and evidence of liver damage, especially cirrhosis, is measured microscopically. Formerly, this was the only way to confirm a diagnosis of haemochromatosis, but measures of transferrin and ferritin along with a history are considered adequate in determining the presence of the malady. Risks of biopsy include bruising, bleeding, and infection. Now, when a history and measures of transferrin or ferritin point to haemochromatosis,  whether a liver biopsy is still necessary to quantify the amount of accumulated iron is debatable.<ref name=Mayo/>