Contents
What can cause high iron levels in blood?
Other conditions that cause high iron levels include:
- rheumatoid arthritis.
- hyperthyroidism.
- adult-onset Still’s disease.
- type 2 diabetes.
- leukemia.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- iron poisoning.
- frequent blood transfusions.
Should I be worried about high ferritin levels?
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 the most common cause of iron overload?
An inherited genetic change is the most common cause. It’s called primary hemochromatosis, hereditary hemochromatosis or classical hemochromatosis. With primary hemochromatosis, problems with the DNA come from both parents and cause the body to absorb too much iron.
What does it mean when your blood iron level is high?
High blood iron is when your body’s iron level is too high. High blood iron is usually the result of hemochromatosis, a disease in which the body absorbs too much iron from the diet.
What causes the body to store too much iron?
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to store too much iron, resulting in high iron levels. This disorder occurs when the HFE gene is passed to a child by a parent.
When is ferritin too high for iron overload?
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. Here are some causes of iron overload:
Why is it important to check your iron levels?
High iron levels obviously are cause for concern as they are a marker for various diseases and illnesses, such as alcoholism, liver disease, and hemochromatosis. Therefore, it is important to have regular physical exams that include a blood test for iron levels in order to ensure timely intervention of any conditions that need to be addressed.