What does it mean when ferritin is high?

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.

What is considered dangerously high ferritin levels?

Many laboratories consider serum ferritin levels greater than 200 ng/mL in women and greater than 300 ng/mL in men to be abnormal.

What can cause extremely high ferritin levels?

Abstract. Objective: A markedly elevated serum ferritin level has been associated with inflammatory conditions such as adult-onset Still’s disease, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome.

Should I be worried about high ferritin levels?

Ferritin test results may be high due to certain medical conditions and not necessarily from too much iron. But high ferritin levels can indicate a need for further testing to rule out: Hemochromatosis, a disorder in the way the body deposits iron in body tissues. Chronic diseases, including diabetes and liver problems.

What are symptoms of high ferritin?

Symptoms of excess ferritin include:

• stomach pain.
• heart palpitations or chest pains.
• unexplained weakness.
• joint pain.
• unexplained fatigue.

What cancers cause high ferritin levels?

Ferritin is often elevated in the serum of cancer patients including those with neuroblastoma (63), Hodgkinson’s lymphoma (64), cervical (65), oral squamous cell (66), renal cell (67), T cell lymphoma (68), CRC (69), and breast (70) cancers and were often associated with increased tumor grade and shorter survival.

Is ferritin high in leukemia?

High serum ferritin levels without any correspondence to the amount of total body storage iron have been found in patients with leukemia. Investigating 96 adults with different types of leukemia, we found that serum ferritin can be used as a tumor marker in myeloid leukemias.

What autoimmune disease causes high ferritin?

Ferritin in autoimmune diseases Hyperferritinemia is known to be associated with autoimmune diseases, such as SLE, RA and MS [3–7], and also in serological antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) [8] (Table 1).

What does a high ferritin level mean?

High level of ferritin usually represents high level of iron, and it may has various causes. You have to consult your doctor before pinpointing the cause. 1. Iron Overload When your ferritin levels are higher than 1,000 ng/mL, you may have a very high buildup of iron in your body.

Are there genetic or other factors that increase ferritin levels?

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. G&H Are there genetic or other factors that increase the susceptibility to elevated ferritin levels? PA In a large multiethnic population, the most common causes of elevated ferritin levels are likely obesity, inflammation, and daily alcohol consumption.

Are ferritin levels related to iron overload in Asians?

Elevations in serum ferritin levels are commonly seen in Asians, a finding that is not likely to be related to iron overload. Genetic testing was well accepted without evidence of insurance discrimination.

Will my ferritin levels ever return to normal?

Once the underlying cause is treated properly, the high ferritin levels may naturally return to normal amounts. But, if levels remain high, need to be treated alongside the root cause, or are caused by genetics, these are your following options.