Raised Ferritin, should I be concerned.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I've had two over range ferritin results in 2.5 weeks, one on June 13 my ferritin was 160 ( range 13-150) the one on 29 June was 163. I had to have bloods repeated as had some abnormalities.

I'm post menopause. I've always struggled with anemia throughout my life and spent much of it on iron tablets. I'm vegetarian. The lab is suggesting iron panel tests next but I haven't had a phone call from the surgery yet. Or if indeed I will. My recent liver profile was all normal.

It's just adding to the general weirdness of my bloods, low TSH but also very low FT4 and FT3. Very low folate and below range serum calcium. I really don't understand what's going on here.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When hypothyroid we frequently develop low stomach acid, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result (regardless of how good your diet is)

Low calcium strongly linked to low vitamin D and calcium levels will improve once vitamin D is optimal

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Presumably as vegetarian you normally supplement B12?

High ferritin can be misleading as is often raised due to inflammation

A full iron panel test a good idea if you’re normally low in iron

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sparklingsunshine

The lab is suggesting iron panel tests next but I haven't had a phone call from the surgery yet.

Why don't you ring the surgery and point this out, say the lab has suggested it and you'd like to book it in.

Your Ferritin is only just over range and from what I understand it would have to be very much higher than that for a GP to be concerned.

Ferritin can be raised due to inflammation or infection so maybe that's the cause.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Definitely get vitamin D tested next

[helvella]

If you are considering supplementing with folate (of any sort), please make sure you get B12 tested first.

It is potentially dangerous to take folate while low/very low in B12. So see where you are with B12. Then decide what to do.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to helvella]

Hi

My B12 is off the scale, literally, due to the fact I get injections. 😀