High Ferritin Level

[Jacci]

I have recently had a blood tests and it has come back that my ferritin levels are high I have an appointment for Friday of this week but would like some advise as to what I can do, I am over weight but have joined weight watches and have lost 21lb so far

[gabkad]

Jacci, I don't know how overweight you are or were, and don't know how quickly you lost the 21 pounds, but if you had a fatty liver, then big changes will result in all sorts of temporary situations until you stabilize your weight. The fat stored in the liver begins to get mobilized and during this phase cholesterol blood levels can also spike (which confuses people because they think they should be getting better blood test results, not worse ones). Ask your doctor to check your liver enzymes as well.

Did your doctor ever test for ferritin, liver enzymes and cholesterol before you began losing weight? That way at least you'd have a base line for how you were doing before and there can be meaningful comparison.

[Hidden]

Hello Jacci,

Welcome to our forum.

Ferritin is a protein that is involved in the storage and release of iron. Low levels indicate iron deficiency and elevated levels are usually related to inflammation from infection or even an operation on the body.

Ferritin may also be raised in an unmanaged auto immune disease such as Hashimotos, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, etc. or over supplementing. Have you being taking iron pills?

Do you have a thyroid problem and have you been tested for TPOAb and TGAb thyroid antibodies?

Regarding treatment...that is hard to say until you know the root cause.

Well done on the weight loss, I wish you well.

Flower007

[Hidden]

What is your level of serum ferritin? Do you take an iron supplement, or a multivitamin with iron in it? Clearly you should stop those if so. You should also stop eating foods with added iron, for example, Kellogg's cornflakes. Foods should say on the packet if iron is added. Check bread too. You could avoid meat for a while, especially red meats and things like black pudding, focusing more on vegetables, where the iron content is harder for the body to absorb.

However they may want to check if you suffer from an iron overload disorder, haemochromatosis,

nhs.uk/conditions/Haemochro...

I think your weight is a separate issue, but anyway, congratulations, that is a fabulous result.

[Clutter]

Jacci, the only thing you should do until you see your GP is to stop taking iron supplements or multi-vitamins containing iron. High ferritin can indicate infection or inflammation somewhere in the body, but doesn't indicate where, so your GP may want to do other blood tests. I had elevated ferritin 394 when top of range was 290. GP wasn't concerned as other blood tests didn't flag up problems. It was likely due to inflammation caused by fibro type pain I was experiencing at the time and which has subsequently resolved.