Aa
Iron Levels - Something to Watch
Hi All,
A few months back, when I was diagnosed, my doc also did an iron study on me. Turns out my iron levels were quite high, almost twice normal. Ferritin is also elevated.
Bottom line: I was taking a multivitamin containing iron, as well as eating at least 2 bowls a day of iron fortified cereal.
After abstaining for 3 months, my iron levels are now smack on the middle of normal range. Ferritin is still somewhat elevated, but it typically is in Hep C patients. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant that is present anytime there is inflammation (as in Hep C). Thank God, one less thing to worry about.
Iron can accelerate liver damage, so it behooves us heppers to keep an eye on it. It's my understanding that iron studies are NOT normally done on routine lab work (at least, I've never seen one, and I have my lab work for the last 20 years). High levels over time can also damage most any organ, the joints, etc. It's really nasty stuff in excess.
Iron is everywhere in our food, and a lot of foods even have additional added, so be careful. Also, the minimum daily requirements are based on a non-menopausal female. So men don't really need anywhere NEAR the specified amounts, since we really don't lose much blood comparatively speaking.
For awhile there, my doctor was concerned I might have hemochromatosis. I'm quite relieved to find out it was my diet. Hope this helps someone else out.
A few months back, when I was diagnosed, my doc also did an iron study on me. Turns out my iron levels were quite high, almost twice normal. Ferritin is also elevated.
Bottom line: I was taking a multivitamin containing iron, as well as eating at least 2 bowls a day of iron fortified cereal.
After abstaining for 3 months, my iron levels are now smack on the middle of normal range. Ferritin is still somewhat elevated, but it typically is in Hep C patients. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant that is present anytime there is inflammation (as in Hep C). Thank God, one less thing to worry about.
Iron can accelerate liver damage, so it behooves us heppers to keep an eye on it. It's my understanding that iron studies are NOT normally done on routine lab work (at least, I've never seen one, and I have my lab work for the last 20 years). High levels over time can also damage most any organ, the joints, etc. It's really nasty stuff in excess.
Iron is everywhere in our food, and a lot of foods even have additional added, so be careful. Also, the minimum daily requirements are based on a non-menopausal female. So men don't really need anywhere NEAR the specified amounts, since we really don't lose much blood comparatively speaking.
For awhile there, my doctor was concerned I might have hemochromatosis. I'm quite relieved to find out it was my diet. Hope this helps someone else out.
I didn't think he was getting to much iron. But I guess I will have to do some checking into the things that he is eating. I spoke to one of his doctors yesterday and he said that they were just going to watch it for now.
Good luck with your appointment on June 16th
Good luck with your appointment on June 16th
Hi Shady,
My ferritin was 1005 on my first test, 1137 on my second, and it's now down to 800. My doc isn't terribly concerned about it, for the reasons I mention above. It's most likely due to the infection... but it could also indicate excessive iron stores.
His advice is to chill out and let the specialist decide what to do, if anything, come June 16th.
My serum iron was about 190 (ref range is 45-170 from my lab). Is your husband consuming too much iron? Worth checking into.
P.S. Iron levels take a long time to come down, since men don't lose much blood.
My ferritin was 1005 on my first test, 1137 on my second, and it's now down to 800. My doc isn't terribly concerned about it, for the reasons I mention above. It's most likely due to the infection... but it could also indicate excessive iron stores.
His advice is to chill out and let the specialist decide what to do, if anything, come June 16th.
My serum iron was about 190 (ref range is 45-170 from my lab). Is your husband consuming too much iron? Worth checking into.
P.S. Iron levels take a long time to come down, since men don't lose much blood.
Thanks for the info. It's good to know even for us post menopausal women... we don't need all that iron either.
Just out of curisity, what was your Ferritin level. My husbands was 2155 and Iron was 274. This was April 27, 2010.
My first appointment is June 16th. Took me three and one-half months to get in to see the Dr. of my choice. I suspect she'll order a battery of tests, a biopsy, and we'll go from there.
Are you still playing the waiting game too, or have you started tx?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
