Inflammation and Ferritin levels

[misha008]

Hi

I've been trying to read around this particular issue, but it's still no clearer. Hoping someone will be able to help?

I had one blood test which indicated my ferritin levels were low : 42 ng/ml (20-204).

A month later, I had a private test which included ferritin testing and this showed: 100.0 (20 - 150 ug/L).

Therefore, (I think) there's an indication that I was experiencing an 'inflammation' at the time of the second test and my ferritin was being stored more aggressively. Is that correct?

So, my question is whether I should supplement with iron? Even if ferritin is showing as being relatively good as in the second test?

Hope someone can help clear this up for me as I cannot figure it out. Keen to get all my supplementing on the right tracks. In terms of symptoms hair loss is a major issue and has been for a long while hence wanting to get this one right.

Have gone gluten free, am taking Selenium, Magnesium Mk 7, Vit C every day.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

misha008 You asked about the different ferritin results in a previous post healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... Read Bluebug's reply again, she suggested reasons for ferritin levels rising and also suggested re-testing in 6-8 weeks. I think that's a good idea, see what level your ferritin is at then. If your ferritin remains high (it should be half way through range) then I wouldn't supplement.

[misha008 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for this. I think I may have read Bluebug's reply but not understood it, so have been reading around to see if it becomes clearer. I still don't understand why Ferritin should suddenly become raised due to inflammation and in terms of symptoms my hair is still falling out in handfuls. Thanks, looks like another blood test is due.

[Clutter in reply to misha008]

Misha008,

Ferritin is a sort of iron storage dump and ferritin levels fluctuate throughout the day as the body dumps in excess iron and withdraws iron from ferritin when required. When one has a virus or bacterial infection the body withdraws iron and dumps it into ferritin to starve the virus or bacteria of iron.

[misha008 in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, this is by far the best explanation I have come across so far. Thanks so much.

Just one more - (hope this isn't a ridiculous question... but.. if I have high inflammation, my Ferritin is being stored, so - shouldn't my hair loss reduce? Or - are the ferritin levels only dealing with infection and hair loss is a minor issue in the scheme of things?)

[Clutter in reply to misha008]

Misha008,

Ferritin high because of inflammation is not the same as ferritin being optimal in the normal course of events.

Low ferritin is only one cause of hair loss. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and low zinc can also cause hair loss.