Ferritin, Thyroid and Vitiligo

[greenfingers]

Blood test shows relatively high Ferritin levels can anyone connect this to Vitiligo? I’ve read a couple of articles on it but haven’t had time to go further. I know Vitiligo is autoimmune related but if anyone has any information on this it would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[waveylines]

Ive had Vitiligo since I was 18. For the last twenty plus years it would be termed as Vitiligo Universal. I cannot tolerate any sun, even indiect sun can burn so cover up or full sun protective cream is my best bet.....& stay out of the sun. This summer my UV brolly has been very handy when Im out and about. Fifteen years ago developed Hypothyroidism and four years ago B12 deficiency. There is a link between Vitiligo and these autoimmune conditions but not everyone develops them as well. My ferritin levels are within range so not aware of any link.

[greenfingers in reply to waveylines]

Thanks for that. Honestly it’s so annoying when it’s so lovely outside. I only started with Vitiligo last year but it has progressed unfortunately. Do you use anything to camouflage it? I’ve looked at various things but the colours vary so much it’s hard to decide.

[waveylines in reply to greenfingers]

Sorry to hear that. For me I think I've inherited it. My grandma, brother and my cousin all have it -all on my mums side. I'm the worst though as I now don't have pigment so no patches so this is called Universal. Mine progressed quickly especially when pregnant. I did have skin that naturally tanned easily so it was very obvious in the summer. I was embarrassed. I tried camouflage but never found one to match. I think Vitiligo uk have links to where you can get a consultation so they match your skin. That wasn't available when I was at that stage.In the end what I did was to put the highest factor on & stay out of the sun. This mainly stopped the bits that tanned tanning & though lilly white I felt better than being patchy.

I miss sunbathing but I do enjoy shade bathing! 🤣

Oh I've never done this as was nothing around at the time but I think there are treatments these days that might help to slow or reverse so might be worth investigating? I dont know how effective they are. Am too far gone now & besides I will at best probably just generate patches once again!

[greenfingers in reply to waveylines]

Thanks you’ve been a great help.

[waveylines in reply to greenfingers]

You're welcome 😊

[shaws Administrator]

The following link may be helpful and this is an excerpt:-:

"People with vitiligo may be more likely to get other autoimmune diseases (in which the body’s immune system causes it to attack itself), such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease, and alopecia areata. Also, people with autoimmune diseases are more at risk for developing vitiligo.

People with vitiligo may feel embarrassed or anxious about their skin. Sometimes people are rude – they may stare or say unkind things. This could cause a person with vitiligo to develop low self-esteem. This in turn could create anxiety or depression issues and make someone want to isolate. If this happens, you should talk to your healthcare provider or your family and friends to help you find a solution.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have vitiligo, the following self-care tactics may help you care for your skin and improve its appearance:

Protect your skin from the sun and artificial sources of UV light. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.

You can also seek shade and wear clothing that shields your skin from the sun. Don't use tanning beds and sunlamps.

Protecting your skin from the sun helps prevent sunburn of the discolored skin. Sunscreen also minimizes tanning, which accentuates the vitiligo patches.

Conceal affected skin. Makeup and self-tanning products can help minimize the differences in skin color. You may need to try several brands of makeup or self-tanners to find one that blends well with your normal skin tone. The coloring of self-tanning products doesn't wash off, but it gradually fades over several days. If you use a self-tanner, select one that contains dihydroxyacetone, as it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Don't get a tattoo. Damage to your skin, such as that caused by a tattoo, may cause a new patch of vitiligo to appear within two weeks.

originalText

I have hypo, vitiligo, alopecia areata, pernicious anaemia (monthly B12 injections - instead of the usual quarterly injections). I have also bought a couple of wigs.

[greenfingers in reply to shaws]

Thanks for your help. Had to smile to myself when you say talk to your health provider. Our GP practice is closed except for emergencies. Thanks anyway, always helpful.

[shaws Administrator in reply to greenfingers]

I think the majority of surgeries are still doing 'phone advice' at present.

When we're not well we want to have a face-to-face consultation plus reassurance but I doubt if it will return to a face-to-face consultations.

[Brightness14]

I started with vitiligo after the birth of my son when aged 36. Then much later on 33 years onalthough I never had any thyroid problems before and it was working fine, the lump they discovered had to be removed i.e. thyroidectomy. I cannot answer your exact question but I am sure all of these these are related in some way. My sisters both have thyroid problems, one niece had chrohns and no thyroid. Another niece had asthma it goes on and on.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Brightness14]

I think (and am not medically qualified) that many of us develop autoimmune conditions and members of our families may also have autoimmune conditions too.

My sister was affected by rheumatoid only - my daughter is severely disabled with the same condition, plus hypothyroidism and her bones have been badly affected and has had a number of operations. Her father also has rheumatoid but it isn't so severe, so daughter has two members of family who has the condition. Her last operation was about 2 weeks ago and had her elbow replaced with a metal one made by scientists/engineers.

I have lost track of all the operations she's had and the main reason is that I believe she had R.A. since around 5 years old.

When I took her to GP several times around 5 years old and eventually when I mentioned Rheumatoid, he shouted at me for 'putting ideas into her head' as if I was a mother who encouraged child to be unwell.

She hasn't lost her sense of humour and takes all life throws at her with courage. Thankfully, she has a great husband.

[greenfingers in reply to shaws]

So sorry to hear about your daughter but pleased she copes with it all. Yes I believe you are right about autoimmune conditions, not s lot we can do about that I’m afraid.

[Brightness14 in reply to shaws]

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter and her suffering. Bad luck for her to have both parents with problems. My eldest sister had none of these but had a different father than the rest of us. It can't have been my mother, probably our father. We were all adopted me when I was only six weeks old.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Brightness14]

For someone to open their homes for the most vulnerable little children and adopt them has to be praised.

Many mothers may have wanted to keep their child, but it could be that at that time it was probably impossible.

[Brightness14 in reply to shaws]

Exactly, very sad in most cases but happy in others.

[Brightness14]

I forgot to say that only since my TT have I been having frequent blood tests and my Ferritin is always high but I don't know why? sorry.

[greenfingers]

Thanks anyway, it’s good to hear we are not on our own.

[serenfach]

I have extensive vitiligo, along with 5 other autoimmunes. I paint in with false tan on my face and hands and nobody sees the rest of me. The best false tan I have found (many dont work as they need the melanin) is Loreal Summer Glow. I am so used to it now that rarely go over the lines as it were! I am pale anyway, but this brings the colour up to match the rest of my face and hands, and prevents me scaring small children.

[greenfingers in reply to serenfach]

Thanks for that, I’ll check it out.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

My ferritin is quite high - 377 today. Put down as the result of it being an acute phase reactant (a fancy way of saying it rises when you have inflammation). Being ascribed to a shingles infection - though I am past the blistering phase.

[greenfingers in reply to helvella]

Good to hear you’re on the mend.