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Post by mlleelise on May 31, 2013 0:51:33 GMT -5
Hi all...my labs have always been very good - except my ferritin levels have been more than double what they should be. My GI doc had me stop taking iron a year ago. Here's the lastest results that have me concerned: Ferritin 350 (should be 12-150); Iron 40 (should be 40-160), Transferrin Saturation 14% (should be 15-50%)
I'm not sure what I should do.
Besides this, my creatin is low and have very acidic urine (which explains my kidney stones) Dr. K told me to take 3000-4000 mg of calcium citrate a day to fight the formation of stones, which I'm doing.
All my other levels are okay though.
My gi doc says high ferritin levels go hand-in-hand with my elevated liver enzymes: the liver can't handle too much iron/ferritin and becomes inflamed from storing too much. Any advice what I should do about the low iron/transferrin saturation numbers? Don't want to create a bigger problem for my liver... Thanks for any advice you may have for me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 7:45:23 GMT -5
Could you post a copy of all of your labs...
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Post by mlleelise on May 31, 2013 21:13:24 GMT -5
Hi - my recent labs were done by my GI, and he did not do a complete workup - only ones which affect my liver function. I wasn't going to get into it on the forum, but my SMA (smooth muscle) and my Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels are elevated (46U, and 217mg respectively); this means I am positive for autoimmune hepatitis. Have to start treatment for this soon, but my gi is scheduling a liver biopsy as well. Believe me, this is weighing on me! But for the moment, just don't know if I should take more iron, since my Ferritin is high, which could be damaging my liver. But my iron and transferrin saturation is low...  ? I'm pretty confused, and I figured the best advice about this would be found HERE. Any ideas? |
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 21:45:32 GMT -5
I have to wonder if you don't have other things going on here. Might a hematologist consult be in order? Or something like that?
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Post by sheanie on May 31, 2013 22:42:54 GMT -5
I second the hematologist visit. Nobody knows ferritin stuff as well as a good hematologist.
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Post by fullhousemom on Jun 1, 2013 6:49:55 GMT -5
I third the vote on seeing a hematologist. Most of us have low ferritin and low iron at the same time. Something else seems to be going on.
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Post by Happy DSr on Jun 1, 2013 16:36:17 GMT -5
But for the moment, just don't know if I should take more iron, since my Ferritin is high, which could be damaging my liver. But my iron and transferrin saturation is low... ? I'm pretty confused, and I figured the best advice about this would be found HERE. Any ideas? It sounds like you have lots of iron in your body's stores (your Ferritin), but your body is not absorbing it (your iron level). So your problem appears to be with the absorption. Swallowing more oral iron supplements won't improve the absorption level. You may need to change the kind/timing/schedule of the iron or get iron infusions?? This is where the hemotologist can provide the expert advice good luck |
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Post by mlleelise on Jun 1, 2013 20:25:54 GMT -5
Thank you all for your input. I did consult with a hematologist last summer, when my ferritin levels were even higher; but at the time, my iron was high too. Now, it's a different story, so it's probably a good idea to visit him again. He's the one who told me to stop taking all iron supplements - which I did last July. I have read that high ferritin levels are also linked to liver disease...so between my GI doc and the hematologist, maybe I can get this straightened out. It is worrisome, to say the least. Thanks again!
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? I'm pretty confused, and I figured the best advice about this would be found HERE.