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High Ferritin Levels: How can I lower my levels?
Since having Covid in fall of 2021, my ferritin levels have remained high. They were close to 600 immediately following Covid and are now lingering between 300 and 400 over a year later. Prior to, I was always in the normal range and my iron levels have remained normal throughout. Curious how to lower my levels—have been exercising but that doesn’t seem to be working.
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A recent blood test signalled a ferritin level of 503.
I’m awaiting a follow up test - 6 weeks later - to check if this is still raised.
I wonder if my diet is a contributory factor: My breakfast includes a cereal with added iron ( 3.6mg ) & flaxseed ( circa 1.5mg ).
I also take an omega 3 supplement - wonder if this contributes ( considering reducing from 2 to 1 capsule daily ).
I read also that both tomatoes & orange juice - when taken alongside a meal - can increase iron absorption? These both feature regularly in my diet.
Can anyone offer any views / experience / advice?
Could my diet ( above ) be a factor in my ferritin levels?
Any thoughts / advice gratefully received.
I was taking iron pills for long covid
Hi @richardshih, I moved your post and replies to this existing discussion that you may find helpful to connect with others along with @kayabbott, like @frank0508 @lamorderd @alive and several others who have had high ferritin levels and for useful tips.
- High Ferritin Levels: How can I lower my levels https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-ferritin-levels/
It’s important to find the cause for this however before taking supplements. There can be underlying health reasons for ferritin levels to climb so it is best to have a physician support before trying to correct this issue with supplements.
Is your father currently working with his doctor to find the cause?
Here is one source on elevated ferritin levels https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/iron-overload . Calcium can lower ferritin levels but don't know how much a person would need to take to make much of a difference. Is his blood calcium is within normal range? Calcium is better absorbed as calcium citrate.
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Hemachromitosis??
It causes high ferritin which accumulates in organs over a lifetime
Not uncommon in those if north western European decent.
The best and quickest way to lower ferritin levels is to donate blood. He likely would need to first have the genetic test for hemochromatosis; he could still give blood but the purpose is decreasing his iron levels. Has he been tested for reasons for the high ferritin? Is his hemoglobin normal? Ferritin iron tends to store in organs, so can cause liver, kidney, or other damage. Some medicines that are metabolized through the liver and impact liver enzymes can also result in elevated ferritin. Bioavailable curcumin can help chelate the iron, and good to avoid red meat and other iron sources (such as some vitamins).
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1 ReactionMy father, 76 has a ferritin level of 800+
Can anyone recommend a supplement to lower the levels? Calcium?
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.
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.
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