Does anyone know about Serum Ferritin levels?

[bowler]

My Serum Ferritin level is 178 normal range is [ 13-150 ]

[Hidden]

Hi there Bowler:

The Ferritin range in Canada is close to the one used in the UK: 11 - 150. Mine has been as low as 7 last November, and I brought it up to 22 on April 15, 2013.

Your reading is above range, and it appears you have too much iron. Ferritin is a protein in the iron, and tests have to be read in conjunction. Has your GP also requested iron and iron saturation tests?

The link below is opened in the page for Ferritin, it also shows Iron levels tests, and excess iron.

Good luck with this:

labtestsonline.org/understa...

[bowler]

Hello mashby

Thank you for your response, and the llink, I am finding it very informative.

My iron saturation is 24 [ 20-40 ]

My iron binding capac. 59 [ 45-72 ]

My serum iron is 14 [ 8.8 - 27 ]

My serum B12 is 226 [ 197-866 ]

My serum ferritin 178 [13 - 150 ]

I am having all the symptoms of anemia but have been told my B12 of 226 is within the normal level, but I think it's borderline?

I did think about taking extra vitimins [ for the low B12 ] but if my ferritin is high [ that's too much iron !!!] very confusing,

I had info from the B12 site, who explained that the same symptoms could be something else,, and go back to see my GP.

Thank you once again

[poing]

Hi bowler,

Ferritin is what's known as an acute phase reactant - it goes up when there is infection and inflammation. This is a protective mechanism where your body shunts iron out of accessible forms (transferrin) and into storage (ferritin) to keep it away from the invading virus or inflammation.

I reckon your higher ferritin is partly due to this effect. Why? Because your serum iron is at the lower end of the range and so is your saturation. There's a shift in where the most of the iron is to be found. In iron overload, everything would be high: serum iron, saturation and ferritin. In serious iron overload disorders, the ferritin can go up to 1000 or more.

Your B12 is definitely borderline... probably not low enough to cause anaemia or serious neurological damage, but in my experience, low enough to mess with your head and cause poor concentration and stuff like that. I had symptoms when my B12 was 199. A supplement would probably help.

Anaemia is defined by low haemaglobin... but has multiple possible causes, and lack of vitamin B12 is only one of them. I'm sure you would have been told if you had that too!

Hope that helps.

[bowler in reply to poing]

P S

My Haemaglobin is 143

bowler

[bowler in reply to poing]

Hello poing

Thought I'd let you know, that I am just back from seeing my GP. She ageed my B12 is borderline so gave be a B12 injection.

Thank you for your help

bowler

[bowler]

Hi poing

Thank you for your reply and the info. which was really informative, and maybe inflammation was the cause of my raised ferritin.?

I had a kidney infection several months ago which was quite bad, and had to have two lots of antibiotics to clear it, I then got a chest infection.

I also have Giant Cell Arteritis ,[ which is inflammation of the arteries ] which I take steroids, for, and I have hypertention, [ I'm falling apart !!!]

As you say my B12 is borderline. I was going to get some iron tablets but as my ferritin level was a little raised I didn't know what to do, as I didn't want to overload anymore.

I'm so lethargic, and have pins and needles in the arms and feet, and palpitations, but that could be by blood pressure,!!!!

Thank you once again for your info.

[poing in reply to bowler]

You're very welcome.

Several months of illness, like a kidney infection and chest infection, might well explain your raised ferritin. I think it takes a little while for ferritin to come down again afterwards.

I doubt that you need more iron - in fact, if you're still getting over infections, taking iron would probably be a bad idea.

But it does sound like its worth tring B12 - methylcobalamin is the form to look for.

[toolow]

I had low ferritin and all the symptoms of anaemia about 16 years ago. My ferritin level was 30 which is considered normal. I eventually saw a consultant who said I should get my ferritin levels over 100. I was on iron supplements for 2 years to achieve this. Hope this helps.

[aliveandwell in reply to toolow]

This is very helpful for me. Thank you.

I was aiming for 50 but I think to get it over 100 would be really great.

It has been ten months so far. And has improved 18 points to 37.

But not completely, and my doctor agreed that it is a personal things, and the level may still be too low for me, after I mentioned a article that said people see improvements when they reach level 50.

Which supplements did you use please?

Did you do anything else to bring it up to over 100.

Good for you.

Thank you for your post, it has encouraged me a great deal.

[bowler]

Thank you for your reply.

As my ferritin levels are a little high at 178 it should be between [ 13 -150 ] I didn't need extra iron. However my B12 is borderline low, and as I am having having all the symptoms of b12 defficiency my Dr. gave me a b12 injection yesterday.

I'm wondering how long I will have to wait to feel the benefit?

[Hidden]

Hi bowler:

Have you considered taking the Active B12 test? It is not available in Canada, but I learned that the B12 levels in the blood serum are considered to contain between 10 to 30% of Active

B12 vitamin. Meantime you can supplement with sprays or patches, for you have some neuropathy symptoms. I currently take six shots of methylcobalamin spray a day, and am feeling much stronger, with no brain fog, and fewer muscle spasms. Tingles and tremors are almost gone.

Good luck!

[bowler]

Hi mashby

I undersatnd that we can't get an active B12 test done in the UK under the NHS and have to pay for it. I did concider this, however as I only had my first B12 injection done on Thurs. I will see how things go.

My B12 was within the normal range at 226, but perhaps borderline, that's why my Dr. agreed to give me the injection, plus I was having all the symptoms.

I am getting a lot of cramp in my fingers and toes, is that another symptom? Did you get palpitations? and was your tingles/pins/needles all over,? mine is mainly in my hands legs and feet, and since the injection my feet are very hot.!!

[aliveandwell]

Have you read the book called "Could it be B12?".

Maybe you have, but it is a really good book full of insightful things related to b12.

I read somewhere on this forum, how you can get a B12 active test in a London NHS hospital, and you can post the test, and it cost £18 pounds.

However, in the above book they talk about how the low level limits are too low, and should be raised, especially for people displaying b12 symptoms'. (I cant recall the exact number maybe it was 400). Maybe your doctor is aware of this. Get the book, and give it to your doctor after you've read it.

[Doodaa2]

Having the same problem. The reason I have found this site looking for answers. My b12 is on the low side and my ferritin is high at 188. With infection and Antibiotics used I would check my Antibiotics. Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox. Not to mention the generics. There are Black Box warnings on these drugs that come under many names. Permanent disability's do occur. Check out Fluoroquinolones FDA July 26, 2016. You can also put Fluoroquinolones in your Facebook search bar. More than likely your Medical professionals will not catch this. Be careful with Antibiotics