Ferritin Levels as Indicator of Risk (Cervical)

[ThisPithyJoker]

Does anyone know much about ferritin levels as a metric for risk? I had an aggressive type of HPV- independent AIS removed a couple of years ago. The NHS test of cure is an HPV test. I wasn't happy with this for obvious reasons. I spoke to the consultant several times over the years and eventually got him to write to the lab to ask that cytology is tested even if HPV is not found. They refused because of HPV primary testing.

They took extra swabs at colposcopy every time I went back for monitoring because it can be difficult to find, has a high recurrence rate, can appear higher up the cervix and is high risk but then these weren't tested as I was HPV clear (as I always was).

This year, my ferritin has sky rocketed with no apparent cause. It's 30x my historic norm and is causing dizziness and fatigue. It's well over normal range. They've ruled out all the usual causes (diet, diabetes, systemic infection). The only thing left on the list as far as I can tell is cancer. I'm concerned that the Adenocarcinoma In Situ has returned and progressed. But I still can't get my cytology performed on the NHS because I'm HPV-negative.

Is it worth me going private to get a traditional PAP smear? Am I worried about nothing?

I’d go private for a smear if you can’t get one on the NHS (though I’d be surprised that the gyn can’t just refer you or do it themselves).

Beyond that, have they explored haemochromatosis? It does just suddenly come on exactly like you’ve described. You always have the genetic mutation, but it takes usually to middle age for iron levels to build up enough in the body. Have they also done a transferrin saturation? That should also give a good indication.

Also, what’s your alcohol consumption like? That can also impact ferritin levels and especially transferrin saturation because of the effects of alcohol on the liver.

I have the genetic mutation for haemochromatosis (so I’m a carrier), but even still I went through a weird phase of having high iron. In the end, it was the combination of the haemochromatosis genes and too much alcohol and some other weird digestive issues that were causing my bloods to be a bit funny.