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What can cause high iron levels in blood?

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.

What can cause high iron levels in blood?

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.

What are the dangers of high iron levels?

Excess iron builds up the heart, liver, joints, pancreas, and pituitary gland. If untreated, it can cause organ damage, and lead to a heart attack, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, depression, and premature death. The mutated gene for hemochromatosis can be passed on to your offspring.

What happens if you have iron overload?

Excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.

Why are high blood iron levels bad for You?

Here’s why. Each time you give blood, you remove some of the iron it contains. High blood iron levels, Sullivan believes, can increase the risk of heart disease. Iron has been shown to speed the oxidation of cholesterol, a process thought to increase the damage to arteries that ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease.

What to do if your iron levels are high?

Palpitations (a fluttering sensation in the chest). You must get an annual blood test done in order to keep check on the iron levels in the blood. The tests which are performed to check the levels of iron in the blood are a fasting serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Serum ferritin measures the amount of iron stored in the body.

How can you tell if you have excess iron in your blood?

A simple series of blood tests can diagnose most cases of hemochromatosis. These tests check the levels of iron and ferritin (a protein that helps store iron) in the blood, the total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and the percentage of transferrin iron saturation (the iron level divided by the TIBC).

What foods should you avoid if you have high iron levels?

Reducing your intake of iron-rich foods, such as red meat. Donating blood regularly. Avoiding taking vitamin C with foods that are rich in iron. Avoid using iron cookware.