Ferritin too high – causes?
There are numerous reasons for a too high ferritin value. Depending on the underlying disease, a more extensive diagnostic procedure should be performed if there is an excess of ferritin. There are many harmless causes of elevated ferritin levels.
For example, ferritin, a so-called acute phase protein, increases in the acute phase of an inflammation. Excessive ferritin can therefore be triggered by infections, colds or the flu. Autoimmune diseases are also associated with inflammation in the body, so that they can cause the ferritin level to rise.
If there is severe damage to the erythrocytes (red blood cells), a large amount of iron is released into the blood. In order to bind this iron, the body produces additional ferritin, thus increasing the ferritin value. A high ferritin value can also occur in cases of malnutrition, and an overdose of iron tablets can also lead to high ferritin values.
Causes of elevated ferritin levels that require clarification are diseases of the liver or iron storage diseases. Liver inflammation (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or liver tumors can increase ferritin by damaging the liver cells. This causes ferritin to be released into the blood. Iron storage diseases or hemochromatosis, for example, which are accompanied by increased absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract, can also cause ferritin to rise. More information about elevated ferritin levels can be found on the following page: Ferritin level too high
Costs for a transferrin determination
The costs for a transferrin determination depend on the health insurance company and the laboratory performing the test. In addition, one has to calculate the costs that are not incurred for taking the blood sample and sending the blood tube. If there is a sufficient indication, transferrin can be taken as part of a normal anemia determination (including red cells, serum iron, hemoglobin and ferritin), so that hardly any additional costs are incurred. The costs for the determination are covered by the health insurance company if there is a valid medical indication for the transferrin determination. Please also visit our main page on the topic: Transferrin
