Raised Ferritin levels?

[sheenah]

Can anyone tell me whether having raised ferritin levels is part of hypothyroidism symptoms? XX

[jezebel69]

Hi Sheenah - I'll be watching any replies with interest. My ferritin was fine in October when tested through GP but in March I opted for a Blue Horizon test and my ferritin and haemoglobin were through the roof. A retest a few weeks later showed them back to normal - so either something can cause a sudden rise and fall (?) or the Blue Horizon test was faulty. It can indicate a liver problem where iron is held and not disposed of. Are you taking iron?

[Cara20007 in reply to jezebel69]

Hi I was looking for information about ferritin as I've just had a test with blue horizon and added ferritin bundle at last minute only to find its 250!! Top of the scale is 160 so I'm really worried. Do you think blue horizon labs could be faulty?

[jezebel69 in reply to Cara20007]

Hi Cara - the Blue Horizon report labelled me as an alcoholic (in as many words) lol

High ferritin is an indication that your body is holding iron but it can do this as a result of inflammation. I think we only need to worry if the levels do not go down so recommend a retest. If you take your results to your gp they should do this for you. When i contacted Blue horizon to suggest it may have been a faulty test I got no reply :/

[sheenah]

Hello - No - I am trying to avoid it!! I have suspected haemochromtosis - my initial results were way over the top and the GP did another test last week - they are still high although not as high as the last time - I also have other symptoms pain in right abdomen - bronzed looking skin (fed up of people telling me how well I look when I feel crap!!) arthritis in hands etc. Doc is phoning me tomorrow to discuss results (at my request) I am trying to establish whether high ferritin is potentially an aspect of the hypo diagnosis which may account for the high levels rather than it being haemo. Thanks for your reply xx

[Clutter]

It can be a hypothyroid problem but isn't exclusively. It can be high because of inflammation, illness or infection.

[jezebel69 in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter - is it possible that mine was high following a virus? I'd been knocked sideways by a cold from hell just before the test

[Clutter in reply to jezebel69]

It's quite likely but would be prudent to retest after 2/3 months to see whether it has changed.

[jezebel69 in reply to Clutter]

It had changed drastically after only 3 weeks - all back to normal. Have doubts whether test through Blue Horizon was accurate. Have mailed them....we'll see

[sheenah]

Thanks Clutter

I have looked on the STTM site and they also suggest that low TIBC (total iron binding capacity) and low UIBC - (don't know that one - obviously something binding capacity) are indicative of haemo - I am trying to get some answers so I can speak with some authority to him tomorrow - I appear to have a low Transferrin saturation index - 23% in a range of 20 - 40 - the serum transferrin is above the range at 2.9gl in a range of 1.6 - 2.7. Do you think TIBC is the same as the saturation index?

[Clutter in reply to sheenah]

I've no idea because I don't understand the ins and outs of iron panels. Let us know what your GP says.

[sheenah]

BTW UIBC is unsaturated iron binding capacity.xx

[Angel54]

Hi sheenah,

My ferritin is raised and ive been told its high because i do suffer with inflammation. Pains all over and my ESR levels are always high

xx

[sheenah]

Hello Angel - what are ESR levels? XX

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to sheenah]

Such abbreviations are often on my abbreviations and acronyms document:

dropbox.com/s/og3lmxa1dqadb...

ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Rod

[Angel54 in reply to sheenah]

Hi Sheenah, Sorry only just seen your comment.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Apparently detects inflammation somewhere in the body. Mine always comes back really high. I get pains with it.

xx