What Causes High Iron Count In Blood?

Posted on Thu, 5 Jun 2014

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

Thu, 5 Jun 2014 Answered on

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My doctor just told me to have another blood test as I have a high iron count. Could this be due to my thyroidectomy two years ago?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
As a thyroid expert I would like to assure you that the high iron count on your blood test is not due to the thyroidectomy 2 years ago.

The thyroid gland has other functions and is not related to the iron balance of the body

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (7 hours later)

what would you think it is related to?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
There are several conditions that can cause iron overload in the body. Two examples are a) excessive supplementation from outside 2) an inherited condition called hemochromatosis
A systematic assessment by your family doctor/internist/ hematologist will allow thorough evaluation of the potential causes in your instance

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar