Iron blood test result - confusing

[Suzanneharb]

Hi all,

Recent iron test (fasted, no supplements for iron in months):

Iron: 36.1 (r5.8 - 34.5)

Ferritin: 60.1 (r13 - 150)

So my ferritin is a little low, but why then is the iron in my blood over the normal range? Should I be worried? I can't take supplements with such a high iron result? Do I need a Dr to investigate this?

Thanks in advance!

[radd]

Suzanneharb,

Sorry you haven’t received a timely response.

My answering will move your post back onto the Daily Feed' for members to re-view. Alternatively you are welcome to pose your questions again in a new post.

[Suzanneharb in reply to radd]

Thanks for replying! I almost missed this, so sorry for late response. I guess this question wasn’t relevant to the forum? I’ll try to find somewhere else to ask it.

[radd in reply to Suzanneharb]

Suzannaharb,

Your question is relevant to the forum as many members have iron difficulties. It's just been missed.

Both inadequate thyroid hormone & high levels of inflammation can change the way iron is metabolised. Therefore, members may see unusual results such as your high serum iron coupled with a ferritin result not even half way through range.

A full iron panel will give you further information on your iron carriers and a FBC would indicate how your iron is being utilised, (the state of RBC's) but you can already see a slightly warped process going on.

It's good you have enough serum iron and this were me I would be looking to ensure thyroid meds are adequate, particularly FT3 levels which helps drive the whole erythropoiesis process, and encourages iron to work properly. Also other nutrients, particularly Vit B12 & folate, and try reducing any inflammation with a anti-inflammatory diet and natural anti-inflammatories such as Vit D, fish oils and curcumin.

Do you have thyroid hormone results & other nutrients test results to share?

Do you have Hashi

[Suzanneharb in reply to radd]

Ah, thanks for that! I wasn’t sure.I don’t think it’s inflammation as that was tested too (crp) - result was 0.6 (range 0-5)

My thyroid is in a really good place too (see my previous post). And b12 and D all good (I posted these results somewhere else and definitely not a problem ).

So it’s a head scratcher for sure! Do you think a GP might be helpful at this point?

I have hashimotos , I’m on t3/t4 combo. I’m very allergic to gluten, so strict gf for 12 years now. I have to be careful with my diet (too many fodmaps trigger ibs). I’m always better off symptom wise with dairy in my diet (but just not too much dairy). I tend to do low lactose