Elevated Ferritin levels.

[Mall]

Has anyone had to deal with blood tests showing abnormally high ferratin levels. I take 25 mg methotrexate and Benapali weekly along with anti inflammatories folic acid, stomach protectors, etc. I have been on these drugs many years and only in the last 4 months have had abnormal blood results. Following a course of strong antibiotics in September my LFTs were elavated but returned to normal fairly quickly. My last two blood tests, Nov and Dec have shown elavated ferritin levels. Other than asking for repeat blood tests my GP doesn't seem that concerned and I am not due to see my rheumatologist for an annual review until August / September time. I will see a rheumatology nurse in the interim.

Has any one else experienced elevated ferritin levels whist taking benapali and methotrexate. Is this something that I should be concerned about and be pushing my GP to take more seriously or asking for an earlier rheumatologist appt.

[Hidden]

From healthline.com/health/ferri...

(hope this helps)

Causes of high ferritin levels

Ferritin levels that are too high can indicate certain conditions.

One example is hemochromatosis, which is when your body absorbs too much iron.

Other conditions that cause high iron levels include:

rheumatoid arthritis

hyperthyroidism

adult-onset Still’s disease

type 2 diabetes

leukemia

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

iron poisoning

frequent blood transfusions

liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis C

restless leg syndrome

Ferritin is what’s known as an acute phase reactant. This means that when the body experiences inflammation, ferritin levels will go up. That’s why ferritin levels can be high in people who have liver disease or types of cancer, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

For example, liver cells have stored ferritin. When a person’s liver is damaged, the ferritin inside the cells begins to leak out. A doctor would expect higher than normal ferritin levels in people with these and other inflammatory conditions.

The most common causes of elevated ferritin levels are obesity, inflammation, and daily alcohol intake. The most common causes of genetic-related elevated ferritin levels is the condition hemochromatosis.

If your ferritin test results are high, your doctor will likely order other tests that can provide more insight into the iron levels in your body. These tests include:

an iron test, which measures the amount of iron circulating in your body

a total iron binding capacity (TIBC) test, which measures the amount of transferrin in your body

Side effects of a ferritin blood test

A ferritin blood test isn’t associated with serious side effects because it requires obtaining a small sample of blood. Talk to your provider, however, if you have a bleeding condition or bruise easily.

You can expect some discomfort as your blood is drawn. After the test, rare side effects include:

excess bleeding

feeling faint or light-headed

bruising

infection

Always notify your medical provider if you experience discomfort that seems out of the norm.

[oldtimer in reply to Hidden]

You've given just the information I was about to give - good job I saw your reply first!

The most likely cause is the actual inflammation currently - get that under control and hopefully the excess ferritin will too.