Very high ferritin levels

[Stumbleine]

DM had a series of bloods done back in the spring after going to the GP with headaches.

All seemed normal except for:

1. Raised MCV
2. High ferritin (>1000)

They've since repeated the ferritin and it's still >1000. Report says no further action as is expected. I believe LFTs done in May were normal.

I am not aware of any obvious medical reason/medication that explains this. However - there is chronic excessive alcohol consumption for sure (not sure how aware of this GP is) I have advised her to query these results.

Surely such high levels need investigating further. Can anyone with any knowledge/experience offer an opinion?

I’m in no way medically trained one iota! However my friend had similar results of high ferritin and they said he had a fatty liver. He doesn’t drink so couldnt be attributed to that. We’ve since found out that one of his parents has a medical condition that causes in such extreme high levels, called. Haemochromatosis (sp?!)

The chances are he also has that but no one thought to check, he was just sent away and told he needs to change his diet etc.

There are obviously other reasons for high ferritin and alcohol can certainly be one of them. Hope you find out more answers

Metabolic syndrome can cause elevated ferritin levels too.

Thank you both. I don't think there is suspicion of Haemochromatosis.
^
I wasn't aware of metabolic syndrome so that's interesting. Either way I can't understand the rationale for not investigating further.^