Aa
High Ferritin Levels After Abstinence
Hello, newbie on here so hope this is ok to ask.
In January this year, I went to the doctor as was feeling generally tired and little motivation. I had been tracking my drinking in November and December and it was high, averaging 50 units per week. I stopped on the 3rd Jan and the doctor referred me for a LFT. The results came back as high ferritin (over 500 from memory). I have had 2-3 days since where I have had a drink, the most being bottle of wine in an evening, and I have eaten healthily. I was confident my result would have improved.
I did the blood test in March, just over 2 months later and the result came back as no problems. I was elated and had a couple of drinks at Easter to celebrate. I went to the GP today for an unrelated matter and she said that my results had come back with the ferritin levels increased even more and I was given incorrect information on the phone. I am devastated. She has asked me to do another LFT and I am being referred for a scan on my liver. Can I ask if anyone has any experience of how the ferritin levels could have increased even though I had abstained from alcohol in the 2 months between tests, except for 2 days.
I am a 42 yr old male, no other health issues, no other symptoms of liver disease. Many thanks.
In January this year, I went to the doctor as was feeling generally tired and little motivation. I had been tracking my drinking in November and December and it was high, averaging 50 units per week. I stopped on the 3rd Jan and the doctor referred me for a LFT. The results came back as high ferritin (over 500 from memory). I have had 2-3 days since where I have had a drink, the most being bottle of wine in an evening, and I have eaten healthily. I was confident my result would have improved.
I did the blood test in March, just over 2 months later and the result came back as no problems. I was elated and had a couple of drinks at Easter to celebrate. I went to the GP today for an unrelated matter and she said that my results had come back with the ferritin levels increased even more and I was given incorrect information on the phone. I am devastated. She has asked me to do another LFT and I am being referred for a scan on my liver. Can I ask if anyone has any experience of how the ferritin levels could have increased even though I had abstained from alcohol in the 2 months between tests, except for 2 days.
I am a 42 yr old male, no other health issues, no other symptoms of liver disease. Many thanks.
MRI abdomen can differentiate between primary and secondary hemochromatosis. Primary pattern involves liver, pancreas, and heart. Secondary pattern involves liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
HI
Hector has given some sound advice and hemochromatosis is a fascinating genetic condition. I think the theory is that it was a useful condition with the sporadic diets from early celts and vikings. Storing Iron is a good idea if you dont have a regular intake of it, its a buffer zone to make new red bloods. So the battling Vikings could replace their red blood cells if injured in battle! It is rather like the gall bladder though, pretty unwanted in modern man.
The problem is there are so many fortified foods these days with Iron including which to be honest if you are eating your green veg you will never need this extra iron. People with Iron storage problems have to be very careful with Alcohol, a Liver with too much Iron will not be as efficient as a normal Liver in dealing with booze. Quite simply if you do have this condition you will need to cut this back.
The good thing is too much Iron can be easily cured by simply giving whole blood, your body will then use the stored Iron to make new red bloods. If you do have this condition then its for the best that you have found it now, it could have silently destroyed your Liver and you may not have known until it was too late.
50 units a week is too much as you get older, you are at risk from Alcoholic Cirrhosis. Infact, although small there is still a risk from 21 units a week, yes some unlucky people have got Liver disease from half a bottle of wine a night with their dinner. Whilst not trying to scare you, Iron problems can also be caused by Liver issues due to alcohol. Although your LFT seemed to be ok, inflammation of the Liver can mess up Iron processing.
Hector has given some sound advice and hemochromatosis is a fascinating genetic condition. I think the theory is that it was a useful condition with the sporadic diets from early celts and vikings. Storing Iron is a good idea if you dont have a regular intake of it, its a buffer zone to make new red bloods. So the battling Vikings could replace their red blood cells if injured in battle! It is rather like the gall bladder though, pretty unwanted in modern man.
The problem is there are so many fortified foods these days with Iron including which to be honest if you are eating your green veg you will never need this extra iron. People with Iron storage problems have to be very careful with Alcohol, a Liver with too much Iron will not be as efficient as a normal Liver in dealing with booze. Quite simply if you do have this condition you will need to cut this back.
The good thing is too much Iron can be easily cured by simply giving whole blood, your body will then use the stored Iron to make new red bloods. If you do have this condition then its for the best that you have found it now, it could have silently destroyed your Liver and you may not have known until it was too late.
50 units a week is too much as you get older, you are at risk from Alcoholic Cirrhosis. Infact, although small there is still a risk from 21 units a week, yes some unlucky people have got Liver disease from half a bottle of wine a night with their dinner. Whilst not trying to scare you, Iron problems can also be caused by Liver issues due to alcohol. Although your LFT seemed to be ok, inflammation of the Liver can mess up Iron processing.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thanks for your question.
The normal range for blood ferritin for men is 24 to 336 nanograms per milliliter (standard units) or 24 to 336 micrograms per liter (international units)
A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body is storing. If a ferritin test shows higher than normal levels, it could indicate that you have a condition that causes your body to store too much iron. It could also point to liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions or hyperthyroidism.
Ferritin levels are not normally linked to alcohol intake so I am not sure why you mention drinking alcohol unless your have already been diagnosed with alcohol related liver disease.
Since your ferritin level is above normal, your doctor will need to evaluate the results and perform other tests to determine exactly what is going on. While it can cause anxiety knowing something is not as it should be... it is always better to find a cause sooner than later as the chances are better that it can be treated more easily.
The most common liver disease caused by iron overload is Hemochromatosis. In many cases it is a hereditary disease.
Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) remains the
most common, identified, genetic disorder in Cauca-
sians. Although its geographic distribution is world-
wide, it is seen most commonly in populations of
northern European origin, particularly Nordic or
Celtic ancestry, in which it occurs with a prevalence of
approximately 1 per 220-250 individuals.
Do you have other family members with this condition? Your doctor should perform the appropriate blood tests to rule it out hemochromatosis as a cause of your high ferritin levels.
Hemochromatosis is a treatable disease and the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better for the patients health.
A scan of your liver sounds like a good idea as well.
Try not to worry too much. Let's get to the bottom of this so if there is something you need to do you can do it now before it gets any worse.
I hope this helps.
Hang in there.
Best of luck to you.
Hector
The normal range for blood ferritin for men is 24 to 336 nanograms per milliliter (standard units) or 24 to 336 micrograms per liter (international units)
A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body is storing. If a ferritin test shows higher than normal levels, it could indicate that you have a condition that causes your body to store too much iron. It could also point to liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions or hyperthyroidism.
Ferritin levels are not normally linked to alcohol intake so I am not sure why you mention drinking alcohol unless your have already been diagnosed with alcohol related liver disease.
Since your ferritin level is above normal, your doctor will need to evaluate the results and perform other tests to determine exactly what is going on. While it can cause anxiety knowing something is not as it should be... it is always better to find a cause sooner than later as the chances are better that it can be treated more easily.
The most common liver disease caused by iron overload is Hemochromatosis. In many cases it is a hereditary disease.
Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) remains the
most common, identified, genetic disorder in Cauca-
sians. Although its geographic distribution is world-
wide, it is seen most commonly in populations of
northern European origin, particularly Nordic or
Celtic ancestry, in which it occurs with a prevalence of
approximately 1 per 220-250 individuals.
Do you have other family members with this condition? Your doctor should perform the appropriate blood tests to rule it out hemochromatosis as a cause of your high ferritin levels.
Hemochromatosis is a treatable disease and the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better for the patients health.
A scan of your liver sounds like a good idea as well.
Try not to worry too much. Let's get to the bottom of this so if there is something you need to do you can do it now before it gets any worse.
I hope this helps.
Hang in there.
Best of luck to you.
Hector
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cirrhosis of the Liver Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
