Does anyone know what is considered a high level of iron.

Posted by twinnotes @teinnotes, Oct 23 1:55pm

My daughter’s blood work came back with her iron level 166. Is that considered high? Iron overload..?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

twinnotes | @teinnotes | Oct 23 1:55pm

I wasn’t sure what group to post this in.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 23 2:18pm

Hi @teinnotes. Iron levels are part of a standard CBC panel. Was your daughter having symptoms that led to having her iron level checked?
What is age of your daughter?

twinnotes | @teinnotes | Oct 23 2:38pm

She is a school teacher and they do it yearly. She is 33 years old

twinnotes | @teinnotes | Oct 23 2:47pm

Her hemoglobin was good. Iron was 166 ug/dl. Her RDW was 11.5 ( alittle low). Cholesterol was elevated alittle bit. All other numbers were good.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 23 3:51pm

In reply to @teinnotes "Her hemoglobin was good. Iron was 166 ug/dl. Her RDW was 11.5 ( alittle low). Cholesterol..." + (show)

Members on Connect can’t interpret blood results but we’re able to use our experiences to offer some clarification. So, from my experience total serum iron levels typically range from 26–170 mcg/dL in women. Your daughter at 166 ug/dl is within the range. Her red blood cell distribution width (RDW) at 11.5 is within the typical range of 11.5 - 15%. Ranges for blood test results can vary due to the parameters set at any given laboratory.

Doctor’s tend to look for trends which might indicate a potential issue. So if her tests are run annually, the results will be compared with prior results to see if there are any upward or downward trends in her values. From what you’ve mentioned there doesn’t appear to be any red flags but again, her doctor will consider her overall history and look for any changes or trends from previous years.

I’m sure her doctor will post a followup narrative in her portal after interpreting the results. Did she just receive these on the portal before her doctor had a chance to reply?

twinnotes | @teinnotes | Oct 23 3:59pm

In reply to @loribmt "Members on Connect can’t interpret blood results but we’re able to use our experiences to offer..." + (show)

She did. Haven’t heard from the doctor. Thank you so much for your interpretation and response. From what I have read it matches up with what you said!
Thank you again, Lori for taking the time to do this!

Karon 🩷

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 23 4:05pm

In reply to @teinnotes "She did. Haven’t heard from the doctor. Thank you so much for your interpretation and response...." + (show)

You’re welcome, Karon…I’m a firm believer of not looking for trouble! 😅 Little changes in blood numbers can reflect normal fluctuations. So unless her doctor sees red flags then you can exhale! LOL. I know, we’re ALWAYS mothers, no matter how old our children are.

twinnotes | @teinnotes | Oct 23 6:35pm

In reply to @loribmt "You’re welcome, Karon…I’m a firm believer of not looking for trouble! 😅 Little changes in blood..." + (show)

You are exactly right! I love “being a firm believer of not looking for trouble” I’m going to remember that! Thanks again!

Please sign in or register to post a reply.