What Causes High Ferritin Levels?

Posted on Sat, 8 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Aug 2015 Answered on

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My Ferritin levels last year was 540, this year its at 736. ALT is at 77. All of these numbers worry me because they arent good.

I have a feeling it could by Hemochromatosis and i hope its not but please let me know your thoughts

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
High ferritin level may be due to many causes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

High ferritin level may be due to many causes.It may be due to hemochromatosis,liver disease,arthritis,chronic inflammation,alcohol consumption,iron deficiency anemia,malignancy etc.
This need clinical evaluation and further investigation.
It is important to assess routine hemogram,random blood sugar,HsCRP,viral markers for hepatitis etc.

Hemochromatosis generally causes very high ferritin level(greater than 1000 ng/mL).There are many clinical features like joint pain,diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis,fatigue,darkening of skin etc associated with this disease,this need evaluation by a clinician.
However,it may be asymptomatic also.

So,you need further evaluation to confirm the underlying cause.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E