Ferritin/iron

[Tanyaking]

Can someone explain ( really simply) the difference between you’re iron and ferritin and which is very important to be optimal for thyroid medication to work please..I’m ever so foggy and and really struggling to get my head around which is important,and what too GET it if that makes sense.xx

[Marz]

Ferritin is stored iron in the liver in the form of a protein. Iron is circulating in the blood. If Ferritin is low then having a full iron Profile is worthwhile

Do you have recent recent results that include the above ?

[Treepie in reply to Marz]

If ferritin is stored in the liver how accurate is the blood test?

[Marz in reply to Treepie]

If the blood level is adequate then it would indicate there is enough in the store cupboard for when it is needed .... is my understanding ....

[Treepie in reply to Marz]

My ferritin is high.The site Helvella has linked is scary.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Treepie]

Treepie,

Iron overload is serious. That is why it is so important to keep testing anyone who is on iron supplementation - to make sure they don't over-do it.

[Treepie in reply to helvella]

Will be testing blood next month .Not supplementing iron .

Last year the doc asked why ferritin was tested I just said it was part of the package.Next time I see him I will tell him its because many hypo folk are low .

[Michaeladell in reply to Treepie]

My Ferritin is also high and I don’t take supplements either

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Tanyaking,

I suggest you have a look at this site:

irondisorders.org/

No site is perfect, but it has a lot of information about iron and seems better than many others.