Ferritin Level To High After Iv! Help!

[jesscarmel]

Hi

about a month ago i had an iron transfusion (iv) because of my anemia. my ferritin was 3.2. normal feritin is between 13 and 150. i got my ferritin tested again today but the results just came in ( i can check them online) and it says 214. this makes me really nervous since i know the doctor didnt see it before he left and i cant ask a doctor until monday.

does anyone know if this is dangerous??? im really feeling anxious about it

Thanks

Jess

[DingoGirl]

HI Jess, and welcome. Gosh, our ferritin levels were about the same....mine was 2.2 last January. It was up to 6 at my four-month checkup. But, your level is really high. I don't think it can be good - - can you call your doctor? You need to contact someone about it, I think.....I don't know what this can do to the body - - short-term you may be okay, but I honestly don't know. There are brilliant people on this board, I pray someone steps forward with the answer.

Hugs -

[ravenwoodglass]

Hi

about a month ago i had an iron transfusion (iv) because of my anemia. my ferritin was 3.2. normal feritin is between 13 and 150. i got my ferritin tested again today but the results just came in ( i can check them online) and it says 214. this makes me really nervous since i know the doctor didnt see it before he left and i cant ask a doctor until monday.

does anyone know if this is dangerous??? im really feeling anxious about it

Thanks

Jess

This is quite high but you don't need to worry too much about it until you talk to your doctor on Monday. One thing I would suggest is that if you are taking a vitamin with iron in it that you discontinue that at least until you talk to the doctor. There are folks that have a genetic predisposition to very high iron levels and they are treated by simply having blood drawn in the same way they would do it for a blood donation. The good thing is you know you certainly absorbed the iron they gave you. I am not a medical professional but I suspect that this will not overly concern your doctor.

[jesscarmel]

thank you susan and ravenwoodglass. that makes me feel better. i get really nervous about everything and when i saw that on the computer i was like oh my goodness. i will call the dr on monday. i think i could page him earlier but i feel bad bothering him when its not really an emergency.....

Jess

[Ursa Major]

Normal ferretin levels are between 50 and 300. Therefore, your level is still considered normal. Mind you, I think it is on the high side. But since it's not likely to stay there for long, I wouldn't worry about it. But the advice of not supplementing with iron right now is sound.

[jenvan]

Jess-

Don't worry...that makes perfect sense after an infusion. Mine were higher than yours post infusion and still normal. Most likely, the number will drop and "even out" over the coming months.

[penguin]

The ferritin tests from the lab my dr. uses (and everyone else in town) says the normal range is 10 to 220, FWIW.

[andrew1234]

Ferritin is a protein which carries iron in the blood. Increased ferritin means that you have slightly increased iron in your blood. Having ferritin levels slightly higher than the reference range is completely normal. Your body will quickly adjust to it by decreasing intestinal absorption of iron . The only problem that could arise is if you have many IV iron infusion or people who have multiple blood transfusion over many years. This produces a condition called secondary hemochromatosis. But to get that you'd need to have multiple transfusions says every 3 weeks over 5 years.

[jesscarmel]

thank you so much to everyone who replied. it made me feel better to know all this information!

i called the dr today, (who made me feel like i was crazy for even asking) and he said it was okay.

Jess

[Keerthana]

Hi I have a similar situation. My ferritin level is 270 one month after infusion. However my doctor says it normal. My Hb Level was 11.9 before and 13 now. However I am still worried as in many sites it is mentioned that iron overload may result in liver cirrhosis or carcinoma. I recently lost my brother for cancer. I am also consuming iron rich food like millers, spinach, dates, apple on a daily basis. Should I discontinue this as well? Is this normal?

[GFinDC]

58 minutes ago, Keerthana said:

Hi I have a similar situation. My ferritin level is 270 one month after infusion. However my doctor says it normal. My Hb Level was 11.9 before and 13 now. However I am still worried as in many sites it is mentioned that iron overload may result in liver cirrhosis or carcinoma. I recently lost my brother for cancer. I am also consuming iron rich food like millers, spinach, dates, apple on a daily basis. Should I discontinue this as well? Is this normal?

I doubt you have a problem from the veggies you are eating.  The iron in veggies is not well absorbed.  If you are really concerned make an appointment to give blood.  That will lower your iron levels.  But I don't recommend it since it is probably entirely ok as is.

Vitamin C help us absorb iron.  So you can cut down on citrus or other vit C sources also.