ferritin levels dropping fast

[marigold111]

my ferritin levels have dropped from 110 to 64 in a month. Also positive for gastric parietal cells ab. hemoglobin dropping slowly. Worried this could be gastric cancer. others experience is appreciated.

[Nackapan]

Im sorry to hear of ongoing concerns.Hope the gastroenterologist performs more tests to investigate;

Upper endoscopy.

Stool testing ect .

Scans

On your last post a concise explanation was given of NETS. A rare form of tumour associated with PA.

My daughter had scans endoscopy ect to investigate as ferritin had dropped to 10 .bloating, pain ect ,inability to digest food.

Nothing found fortunately so down to sn absorbtion problem and other possible causes

Hope you get some answers soon.

[marigold111 in reply to Nackapan]

Thankyou so much for your response. According to doctor ferritin is still within normal range and no urgent need for endoscopy. What concerns me is the sharp decline in a short time. My gastric parietal cells are still high and I have a lot of reflux. I wish there were blood tests to rule out gastric cancers.I wish your daughter the best and hope she feels better. I have 4 children of my own and can relate to what you all must be going through.

Thank you again!

[Nackapan in reply to marigold111]

The only thing i can add it ferritin goes uo if there is inflamation in the body. Then drops .You present level is fine .needs watching though.

Im suprised endoscopy not offered with other symptoms though.

Just keep asking and getting blood tests.

Stressful.

Things need explaining by your medics as stess just adds to symptoms

[Gambit62 Administrator]

GPC test frequently gives false positives so isn't recommended by the WHO as a test for confirming PA.Even if you do have PA the increase in risk of gastric cancer is very small - and seems to be related to high levels of gastrin and is preceded by the development of NETS which can be detected by a colonoscopy and treated. I think you really need to talk to your GP and gastrologist about your concerns so they can reassure you. You may want to refer back to fbirder's responses on this post

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po....

[FlipperTD]

Scientist, not medic.

Ferritin is an acute phase reactant to goes up and down in inflammatory and other situations. Serum iron and TIBC are useful confirmatory tests for iron status, although a fall in MCH and MCV are more readily obtainable lab-wise. Parietal Cell Antibodies are found in lots of folks with no detectable illness, whereas Intrinsic Factor Antibodies are a good deal more specific, but only detect about 50% of cases of Pernicious Anaemia. There isn't a simple answer here, so it's important to listen to your doctor as well as doing your own reading.

Good luck. Try not to panic.