High Ferritin Levels: How can I lower my levels?

Hi @frank0508, Mayo Clinic offers some "Lifestyle and home remedies" in this article. Scroll down about half the page

- Hemochromatosis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemochromatosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351448

You might also be interested in these related discussions:
- Looking for advice..hemochromatosis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/looking-for-advice-i-am-37-years-old-for-the-last-two-years/
- High ferritin levels and post shoulder tendon operation pain/Exhausted https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-ferritin-levels-and-post-shoulder-tendon-operation-painexhausted/

Hi Frank. I'll state up-front that I'm not in the medical profession and not giving medical advice. When I see posts like this and want to try and help out, I turn to ChatGPT and feed it basic info, then provide the output it provides. Keep in mind ChatGPT is an advanced AI bot, so don't rely on this reply alone. Always work with your healthcare provider.

With that said, here's what I asked ChatGPT: How can I lower my ferritin levels?

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Below is the output ChatGPT provided. Again, this is not medical advice. Please be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before making a decision on what to do. I hope this helps.

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Lowering ferritin levels can be achieved through various strategies. However, it's important to note that ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and elevated ferritin levels often indicate excessive iron storage in the body. If you suspect high ferritin levels, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional who can properly diagnose and guide you through the process. They will be able to provide personalized advice based on your specific situation.

That being said, here are some general approaches to help lower ferritin levels:

Phlebotomy: This method involves regularly drawing blood to reduce iron levels. It is commonly used to treat conditions like hemochromatosis, where excess iron accumulates in the body. Phlebotomy should only be done under medical supervision.

Dietary changes: Adjusting your diet can play a role in managing ferritin levels. Decreasing iron-rich foods, such as red meat, liver, and fortified cereals, can help lower iron intake. Additionally, avoiding vitamin C-rich foods when consuming iron-rich foods can limit iron absorption.

Avoid iron supplements: If you're taking iron supplements, discuss with your healthcare professional about discontinuing or adjusting the dosage. Iron supplements can contribute to elevated ferritin levels, and it's important to use them only if prescribed or recommended by a healthcare provider.

Avoid vitamin C supplements: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption in the body. If you're taking vitamin C supplements, it's advisable to avoid or minimize their use while you work on reducing ferritin levels.

Regular blood donations: Donating blood can help reduce iron levels and ferritin over time. However, this should be done in consultation with your healthcare professional and blood donation center, as eligibility and frequency may vary based on individual circumstances.

Treating underlying conditions: High ferritin levels can be associated with certain medical conditions, such as hemochromatosis, liver disease, or chronic inflammation. Treating these underlying conditions may help normalize ferritin levels.

Remember, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of high ferritin levels and to develop an appropriate plan tailored to your specific needs. They will monitor your progress and provide guidance throughout the process.

High ferritin can be hemachromatosis. Do you also have high red blood cell and hemoglobin values? It’s important to get a proper diagnosis. For folks with very high ferritin values with hemochromatosis we do therapeutic phlebotomies in the hospital- that is when we remove a pint of blood at given intervals. There may be nothing you can do to lower high ferritin levels naturally depending on the cause.

I don't know what to do, my ferritin level has been between 1000 and 600 consistently over the past 1 and 1/2 years. Don't know why. My doctor does not seem to care. How do I reduce the level on my own?

I had to get phlebotomies to lower my ferritin levels. My levels were high because of the number of transfusions I had during my AML treatment.

If you are allowed to donate blood, that would lower you ferritin levels. I’m not allowed to donate because I had AML.

Welcome to Connect, @lamorderd. Ferritin levels in the blood reflect amount of iron stored in the body. Too little or too much iron can have downsides to our overall health.

Your levels have been 600-1000 which are outside the range of 24-336 men/11-307 women (micrograms per liter) (These numbers can vary depending on the parameters of the testing lab) From my understanding, long term excessive iron in the body can represent a risk because it can be deposited in the organs (heart, liver, testicles) and joints, leading to more serious problems. High ferritin levels can also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Here are a couple of articles you might find helpful to learn more about high ferritin levels.
https://www.healthline.com/health/ferritin
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17820-ferritin-test
It’s understandable to feel some concern over your elevated numbers. Any time we see numbers flagged on a blood test we feel a bit anxious. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything is amiss. Doctors tend to look for trends with blood results. When you mentioned your numbers were between 600 and 1000 the past 1.5 years, has it steadily gone up? Or was it 1000 and now dropping to 600? Do you take any iron supplements?

check to see if you have hemachromatosis, need an iron panel to check your iron saturation level.

Your AI jumped to a conclusion: That high ferritin indicates high iron. That's what hemochromatosis is: High iron. But a cancer patient, for example, might have very high ferritin levels reflecting inflammation but very low measurable iron. Someone with very low iron levels would be greatly harmed by bleeding them. If I am not mistaken, that's what killed out first president.

Hi frank @frank0508 I presume by now you got tested for hemochromatosis, I won't go into that. Another cause of levels like 300 or 400 can be a fatty liver that goes on for some time. The liver enzymes would be off in this case. What can get it down right away is glutathione (s-acetyl l glutathione) and/or NAC or both (one AM and one PM), after a few months the liver enzymes return back down and ferritin gradually comes down in subsequent months.

My father, 76 has a ferritin level of 800+
Can anyone recommend a supplement to lower the levels? Calcium?