{"id":3007,"date":"2018-02-06T11:48:15","date_gmt":"2018-02-06T16:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbnwebsites.com\/heartmountainchiropractic\/ferritin-might-high-february-2018\/"},"modified":"2018-02-06T11:48:15","modified_gmt":"2018-02-06T16:48:15","slug":"ferritin-might-high-february-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartmountainchiropractic.com\/es\/ferritin-might-high-february-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Ferritin might be too high if\u2026 (February 2018)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is Ferritin?<\/h2>\n

Ferritin is a protein in the body that stores iron and releases it.\u00a0 A simple blood test can determine this value for you.\u00a0 When Ferritin builds up, iron overload is the result.\u00a0 Over time, these excesses build up in major organs and if it is not removed, these organs can become diseased.\u00a0 This can be a genetic trait, in which it is called Hemochromatosis.\u00a0 However, this is the case only about 10% of patients with high Ferritin.\u00a0 Elevated Ferritin is a lot more common for other reasons than you think and is to not be overlooked. Untreated hemochromatosis can be fatal.\u00a0 More often though, the iron overload presents in patients with obesity, chronic inflammation, daily alcohol consumption, heart disease, liver disease, renal failure, joint paint, metabolic syndrome or diabetes, or even cancer.<\/p>\n

Dr. Paul Adams of division of Gastroenterology University of Western Ontario, Canada says \u201cit is important to remember that elevated ferritin does not equal iron overload and there are many patients with elevated ferritin caused by inflammation1<\/sup>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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You\u2019ve reached post menopause<\/h2>\n

Women may not experience symptoms of iron overload until after menopause.\u00a0 Data shows that inverse changes occur between iron and estrogen levels in during menopausal transition2<\/sup>.\u00a0 As estrogen levels decrease, iron levels will increase because it is no longer lost through menstruation and iron will then accumulate in the body.\u00a0 Levels have been shown to double and even triple during this period3<\/sup>.\u00a0 These increased Iron levels have been shown to increase risk of heart disease and breast cancer in postmenopausal women as well4<\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0 Women, at the start of menopause, may experience fatigue, joint pain, and loss of libido.\u00a0 Their doctor may underestimate these symptoms and just blame it on the menopause.\u00a0 These could actually be signs that you have Hemochromatosis or iron overload.<\/p>\n

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You have elevated Liver enzymes<\/h2>\n

Because Ferritin is stored in liver cells, when there is liver damage for any cause Ferritin can be an indirect measurement of liver disease.\u00a0\u00a0 Studies have shown a correlation between elevated serum iron and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.\u00a0 In fact, iron overload is present in about one-third of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease5<\/sup>.\u00a0 Studies also show that Ferritin can be a alternate marker for the presence of Hepatitis B and C6<\/sup>.\u00a0 Iron depletion therapy, such as with a phlebotomy discussed further below, may improve the metabolic complications and elevated liver enzymes in patients with fatty liver disease6<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

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You have Type 2 Diabetes<\/h2>\n

There are numerous studies that associate Iron overload and Type 2 diabetes.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t mean that the high Ferritin value or Hemochromatosis is causing one to develop diabetes, but does indicate that it is a side effect and can accelerate inflammation and\/or affect one\u2019s ability to control the diabetes naturally.\u00a0The iron can deposit in the pancreas and can cause a decrease in insulin production.\u00a0 Data has shown that high ferritin approximately doubles the risk for metabolic syndrome after accounting for age, race, alcohol, and smoking7<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

TIP:<\/strong> Insulin sensitivity can improve when Iron levels are lowered.\u00a0 The findings in a study published by the American Diabetes Association suggests that bloodletting (therapeutic phlebotomy) might contribute as an adjuvant treatment in patients who have type 2 diabetes with increased ferritin concentrations7<\/sup>.\u00a0 The effects of bloodletting in this study indicated that the changes in insulin sensitivity were maintained even 1 year after the procedure8<\/sup>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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You have abnormal heart rhythm<\/h2>\n

High iron has been suggested as a risk factor for heart attacks as well as patients with atrial fibrillation.\u00a0 One study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology concluded that male participants who are considered regular blood donors have an 88% lower risk of a heart attack9<\/sup>.\u00a0 For women under 55, those that have had irregular life-long menstrual cycles had a higher risk for a heart attack10<\/sup>.\u00a0 Both studies indicate that regular blood loss, either from phlebotomy or menses, protects against heart attacks.<\/p>\n

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Treatment options for high iron levels<\/h2>\n

Make sure when considering treatment options for elevated iron levels, you understand the reasoning behind the cause.\u00a0 You may be getting too much iron from taking it with supplements.\u00a0 Be sure you read the labels of multiple vitamins you may be taking and any powder green drinks or protein powders as well.\u00a0 And it could be as simple as reducing iron in the diet and\/or go off the supplement.\u00a0 There is a sweet spot for iron levels in the blood.\u00a0 You can have too much and you can have too little.\u00a0 When supplementing with iron, you may only have to take it for a short period of time to raise your levels to a desired state.\u00a0 Be sure to check with a professional before starting on a supplementation protocol.<\/p>\n

Blood letting or frequent phlebotomies are an easy fix to get rid of the excess stored iron in the blood.\u00a0 There are some contraindications where eligibility may be declined such as:<\/p>\n