FERRITIN LEVELS

[Shihtz6]

Serum ferritin level (XE24r) 385 ng/ml [13 - 150] was what I had on my test results and doctor had put chronically high,should I be worried.?

[AtopicGuy]

For reasons I don't fully understand, normal ferritin levels (the reference levels) vary greatly from lab to lab. Eventually I tracked down a link that matches your results in California:

ucsfhealth.org/medical-test...

and the following link is from a lab in the UK:

forthwithlife.co.uk/blog/wh...

Both say the normal maximum level for an adult female is 150 ng/ml (ie. 150 mcg/L), as per your test result. Different tests at different labs allow a much higher figure.

Because of the confusion, I can't trust any numbers online for what constitutes dangerously high levels: some say 1000 ng/ml, which is much higher than your reading.

Apparently, high ferritin levels might explain troublesome pains, muscle weakness, and unexplained weight loss. Too much ferritin can prevent some internal organs working at their best. Ring any bells?

[Shihtz6 in reply to AtopicGuy]

Thank you for your reply it was interesting to read the links,I have been referred to a gastroenterologist so I’m hoping to get some answers and treatment that will help with the pain and extreme fatigue.