Anyone know about ferritin?

[flibertygibert]

I have haemochromatosis and have to go for blood letting every 3 months. I was due to go today but the hospital rang me to say I didn't need to go as my ferritin saturation had reduced to 40%. It has never been under 55% before and I don't understand how it can have dropped, although it is a good thing!

The only thing I have been doing differently is supplementing with B12 and Folic Acid. Does anyone know if this could have made the difference?

I look forward to hearing from any of you knowledgeable people out there.

Many thanks

[Polaris]

LIver disorders are mentioned several times in Sally Pacholok's book, 'Could it be B12 deficiency' as one of the symptoms of B12def. and that these people need to have the urinary MMA test along with the serum B12 because these disorders often give falsely elevated serum B12 results.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I found a link for The Haemachromatosis Society, (UK organisation). They have a helpline number.

haemochromatosis.org.uk/sup...

There are several Haemachromatosis support groups in UK.

haemochromatosis.org.uk/sup...

Iron studies

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

I am not medically trained.

[mc88]

Hi

We have haemochroatosis in the family, my dad and myself affected. Although i'm not at a stage to have blood letting. My dad was for over 1 year and is now only being monitored and not having blood letting.... this i think may have been arround the same time as him starting b12 injections!

Do you have any thyroid issues?

[flibertygibert in reply to mc88]

Thanks for your reply. That's really interesting about your dad not needing blood letting after starting b12.

My understanding is that they start blood letting when the ferritin level gets over 50% saturation so maybe b12 keeps him under that, which is great.

My thyroid is OK, although I had half my thyroid gland removed because of a very large goitre 17 years ago. I am not on Thyroxine because apparently the half that's left functions well enough.

Keep well and thanks for your response.