Heart & liver MRI (T2* and LIC)

MRI scans measure iron inside the organs, which a blood test can’t. The heart is measured by cardiac T2* (in milliseconds): above 20 ms is normal, 10–19 ms is mild-to-moderate iron, 6–9 ms is high, and below 6 ms carries a high risk of heart failure — needing urgent, intensive chelation.

The liver is measured as LIC (liver iron concentration, mg/g dry weight), often by a validated MRI method (such as R2/FerriScan). The target range is 3–7 mg/g; 7–15 means increased risk, and above 15 a much higher risk.

How often you’re scanned depends on the level — for example a stable, good heart T2* every two years, but every 6 months if it’s low. You can see your own results together in MUIY under Health → Monitoring → Iron.