How reliable is the serum ferritin test?

[natcap1]

Does anyone know if this is usually a reliable test (e.g. compared to the serum B12). I thought it was but in my latest blood test results the lab has queried my ferritin level saying ' ferritin may be elevated due to inflammatory response and therefore not reflect iron stores'. Annoyingly I forgot to ask my GP what this meant when I was at my last appointment. So I was wondering if anyone had any nuggets of information about ferritin levels and how AMAG might impact on them? My levels of ferritin are at the low end of the range and I am trying to get these up, but finding that even the 'gentle iron' makes my stomach burn and repeats on me. I'm using the low dose liquid but I will be forever trying to get my levels up using these.

[fbirder]

The ferritin test is much more accurate that the serum B12 test.

Your notes are saying that an inflammatory response may have increased your ferritin levels, not that they may have got a falsely high result.

[natcap1 in reply to fbirder]

Good, that's how I was reading it, but I wasn't sure. My iron levels are not high (26). Why does the inflammatory response increase ferritin levels?

[fbirder in reply to natcap1]

It's a response the body has to infection. It releases a hormone called hepcidin which moves iron from the blood into storage - ferritin being the major storage mechanism. This is supposed to restrict the growth of infectious organisms.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Melbourne-Girl in reply to fbirder]

natcap1 I totally agree with fbirder.

If your ferritin levels get low in the course of getting your B12 stable the best thing to get your iron levels back up quickly is to have intravenous red cells in a hospital. It will take 2-3 hours and does make a huge difference.

All the best

Melbourne-Girl

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[natcap1 in reply to Melbourne-Girl]

Thanks, good tip. However, I don't think I'll have a chance of getting that on the NHS. GP doesn't seem at all bothered about my iron levels as they are within the range, although only just. I've heard from others that they are made to slip into anaemia before an infusion will be given! Worth a try though.

[Musicgirlie in reply to natcap1]

I had low iron / ferritin when starting to SI B12 and found Floradix Floravital Iron Plus Herbs Liquid Iron to work wonderfully well and within weeks my ferritin was up in a good range and I felt lots better. I got it on Amazon. Expensive but none of the nausea or other weird sensations I had with other iron tablets. And I no longer have to take it. Good luck.

[Melbourne-Girl in reply to natcap1]

I guess because you mentioned that your iron levels were only just in the normal range it may be something a specialist that you get on well with could order it.

It’s different in Australia although may be something to keep in the back of your mind if your iron levels drop further

Best of luck xx

Melbourne-Girl

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[natcap1 in reply to Melbourne-Girl]

Thanks I will keep it in mind.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to natcap1]

Hi Natcap - Spatone is gentle & works well

[MoKayD]

Try mixing your liquid iron supplement with orange juice. Vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron.