What Does This Mean I Recently Got Blood Work Done Which Showed Total Iron Levels High?

Posted on Thu, 15 Oct 2020

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

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 Answered on

Wed, 4 Jun 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I recently got blood work done which showed total iron levels high but low ferritin. What does this mean?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unusual picture of high iron and low ferritin, further investigations requi

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The iron profile picture shows high iron levels with high total iron binding capacity and normal saturation but ferritin is still low.
This is an unusual situation since total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is sensitive to iron levels.
High iron levels lead to low TIBC.
High iron in serum is not being converted to stored form of iron I.e. ferritin.
I suggest you to consult a hematologist for further investigations.
Certain advanced investigations - transferrin receptors and zinc porphyrin also need to be done.
A bone marrow aspiration needs to be done to look for iron stores in bone marrow.
The investigations suggest that serum iron is not being converted to ferritin.
The cause for this needs to be found out to plan management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj