High ferritin level?

[Lambretta175]

I've just had the results of my ferritin blood test which I managed to get at the third attempt at same gp surgery.After reading about them on numerous occasions on here.To my and doctors surprise the reading came out at 980.He says that it could be a mistake at the lab.I'm scheduled for another test next week.Has anybody else come across this as I was fully expecting a low reading?I know it's often stated that a low reading and subsequent raising of levels has improved symptons but is there anybody who'se levels have been high and a lowering of levels improved symptons.Thank you and keep up the good work.

[Madlegs1]

It's unlikely to be a mistake.Let's go with it being actual.

Under a 1000 is not great cause for concern unless you have had a history of high ferritin.

If you have had flu or Covid or an accident with hospitalisation-- then any of these inflammations could cause high ferritin reading.

On ferritin and RLS, only about 50% of people benefit from high ferritin.

I had 1400 ( from multiple blood infusions) and made no difference to rls.

It is now 140 with absolutely no effect on the rls.

As long as you feel healthy( apart from the fizzies-) you should be ok.

If you have doubts, get a complete blood iron panel and a haemocromatosis genetic test. Also a scan on your liver-- not a biopsy.

But only if you are excessively tired, achey and really ill.

Good luck.

The Iron Disorders Institute is a good source for suchlike.

[Lambretta175 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for the reply.

[Hidden in reply to Lambretta175]

AS well as ferritin, if not already done, you may benefit from tests of serum iron and transferrin saturation. If levels of these are also raised then it might indicate haemochromatosis.

If normal, then, as Madlegs says, it may be that some inflammation is skewing your ferritin result.

[WideBody]

Was the test taken in the morning and were you fasting prior to the test? Also, do you take a supplement that contains iron? These two can influence the results of your test. Finally, do you have any other inflammation? Did you GP look for any inflammation markers?

Is this result out of the ordinary when compared to previous blood draws?

[Lambretta175 in reply to WideBody]

It was 3.10pm.I dont fast or take supplements.I dont have any inflammation as far as I know but do have arthritus other wise apart from rls I am quite fit for 68.Thanks for reply much appreciated.

[WideBody in reply to Lambretta175]

For an accurate ferritin level, it is recommended to do the test in the morning and fasted. The reason for morning is your ferritin is lowest in the morning. The reason it is done fasted is because your ferritin level can change greatly by what you eat. I would also consider a full Iron panel as previously mentioned. A full iron panel consists of, Ferritin, Serum Iron, Transferrin Saturation Percentage and TIBC.

[Lambretta175 in reply to WideBody]

My repeat test is 9.10am tuesday.So I won't eat beforehand and hopefully get a more accurate reading.As regards the other tests,the health nurse does the blood.I'm not sure if I can ask her to have the other tests done.I suspect it would have to be via the gp.I've only had my yearly check ups before so I think its kidney functions etc thats checked not sure if iron levels are done as routine?As regarding inflammation I am only getting econsultations with my gp and he never asked about any as I said my general health is ok.My bp was 122/78, cholesterol 4.8,kidney readings ok and my chances of heart attack/stroke was 18%.I will make enquiries on tuesday.Thanks for that.

[Arjiji]

Hi

I have been having Ferritin levels in the blood of 400, 500 and even 600 for 3 years. In the past two years I have not kept blood tests so I do not know if this has been a constant throughout my life, but it should not be like that because I have had operations and the doctors never told me anything about the Ferritin. Curiously, brain iron deposits (measured with the EcoDoppler method) only obtain a measurement of 0.17 and the doctor says that a healthy person should have more than 0.22. So in my body there is a lot of ferritin but that iron does not pass through the blood-brain barrier and does not fill the deposits of the brain, which is one of the causes of RLS. Why does this happen? This is unknown. I am doing liver tests and different hormones to try to know the cause.

[Lambretta175 in reply to Arjiji]

Apart from yearly checks by nurses at gp's,(which is done in uk once you reach certain age)who only tell me everything is ok,I dont know what blood checks they do,I dont have any history to go off.I am going tomorrow for retest and will ask nurse about check's and history.Thanks for that.

[LotteM in reply to Arjiji]

Hi Arjiji, thanks for your interesting personal information. You are lucky to gave access to a knowledgeable RLS doctor (Garcia-Borreguero right?) who has access to and uses the 'assess iron-in-the-brain device'. The EcoDoppler. Please ask and urge him to write and talk more about it, especially internationally. It may one of the new helpful diagnostic methods that we will have to fight for. Like for the iron-infusions.

At least you know that for you the ferritin is NOT a good indicator for brain iron. That still leaves the pressing questions what IS a good indicator and HOE you can increase your brain iron. Will take a while before you'll get the answers to those, I am afraid.

Hopefully you currently have effective medication for your RLS.