Too much iron: haemochromatosis and a high ferritin

We usually talk about a shortage, but too much iron exists too. The best-known cause is haemochromatosis, an inherited condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron (Powell 2016). It is one of the more common inherited conditions in people of Northern European background. Still, I would rather not alarm anyone: a high ferritin often has a more innocent explanation.

This article expands on the overview about anaemia and iron deficiency, looking at the other side: too much iron.

What is haemochromatosis?

In haemochromatosis your gut absorbs too much iron from food. Because your body has no active way to shed excess iron, it slowly builds up in organs such as your liver. The condition is usually inherited and develops over years, so early symptoms are vague. According to Thuisarts.nl, iron overload is sometimes found by chance on a blood test done for another reason.

Which symptoms may fit too much iron?

• Persistent tiredness
• Joint complaints, especially in the hands
• A bronze or darkening skin
• Abdominal or liver complaints
• Reduced libido

What does a high ferritin mean?

A raised ferritin with a raised saturation fits overload more than a raised ferritin alone. How saturation works is covered in transferrin and saturation, and the ferritin numbers are at the ferritin level explained.

Which blood values give insight?

With suspected overload, a doctor usually looks at ferritin, iron and saturation together. If a high ferritin instead comes with anaemia symptoms, something else is going on, and anaemia symptoms and causes is a useful next step.

What can you do?

If you unexpectedly have a high ferritin, or overload runs in your family, you can have your iron status tested at Vitalcheck. Always discuss a raised result with your GP before drawing conclusions.

References

• Powell LW, et al. Haemochromatosis. Lancet. 2016. PMID: 26975792.
• Camaschella C. Iron deficiency. Blood. 2019. PMID: 30401704.
• Thuisarts.nl. Too much iron in the blood.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.