What is Dysmetabolic Hyperferritinemia?

Dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia, also known as insulin resistance associated with iron overload, is a much more common disorder than recognized clinically by physicians. It is characterized by the presence of elevated serum ferritin, but normal transferrin saturation in an individual with features of metabolic syndrome.

What causes Hyperferritinemia?

The most frequent cause of hyperferritinemia was non-human immunodeficiency virus infection followed by solid tumor, liver dysfunction, renal failure, and hematological malignancy. The distributions of the causes were different among groups stratified by the ferritin level.

What is considered Hyperferritinemia?

Hyperferritinemia is defined by serum values >400 μg/l in men and >300 μg/l in women. According to NHANES III, values ​​generally found in the general population rarely exceed 200 μg/l in men and 150 μg/l in women.

What does a high transferrin saturation mean?

Transferrin saturation is increased when excess amounts of iron are present, as in iron overload or poisoning (hemochromatosis). A high transferrin saturation results indicates you have too much iron in your body. In iron overload, the transferrin saturation is usually increased from around 30% to over 90%.

What diseases cause high ferritin levels?

What are the clinical implications of the dysmetabolic profile of lipodystrophic patients?

Should I be worried about high ferritin levels?

If a ferritin test shows higher than normal levels, it could indicate that you have a condition that causes your body to store too much iron. It could also point to liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions or hyperthyroidism.

What cancers show high ferritin levels?

Ferritin is often elevated in the serum of cancer patients including those with neuroblastoma (63), Hodgkinson's lymphoma (64), cervical (65), oral squamous cell (66), renal cell (67), T cell lymphoma (68), CRC (69), and breast (70) cancers and were often associated with increased tumor grade and shorter survival.

What is dangerously high iron saturation?

The serum transferrin saturation test measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin — a protein that carries iron in the blood. Saturation values of more than 45% are too high. The serum ferritin test measures the amount of iron that the body has stored.

What is a good transferrin saturation level?

Another measurement, called transferrin saturation, checks how many places on your transferrin that can hold iron are actually doing so. Normal values are 15% to 50%. In severe cases of iron-deficiency and anemia, this number may fall below 10%. Many other medical conditions can cause high or low levels of transferrin.

What are warning signs of hemochromatosis?

Can you have high iron levels and not have hemochromatosis?

Conclusion. In a patient with signs and symptoms of tissue iron overload and high serum ferritin levels, low or normal transferrin saturation should alert the physician to other - primary as well as secondary - causes of iron overload besides hemochromatosis.

What is the most common cause of high ferritin levels?

A doctor would expect higher than normal ferritin levels in people with these and other inflammatory conditions. The most common causes of elevated ferritin levels are obesity, inflammation, and daily alcohol intake. The most common causes of genetic-related elevated ferritin levels is the condition hemochromatosis.

What is the treatment for Hyperferritinemia?

Treatment reinforces a diagnosis of iron overload which may not be present. Phlebotomy treatment requires resources and health care systems may have higher priorities. In patients whom have elevated serum liver enzymes in addition to hyperferritinemia, the diagnostic approach should include genetic testing for HH.

How does haemochromatosis affect the body?

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition where iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years. This build-up of iron, known as iron overload, can cause unpleasant symptoms. If it is not treated, this can damage parts of the body such as the liver, joints, pancreas and heart.

Can fatty liver cause high ferritin levels?

Abstract. Serum ferritin (SF) levels are commonly elevated in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because of systemic inflammation, increased iron stores, or both.

Is high ferritin level fatal?

Clinical Bottom Line: Elevated Ferritin Level

Patients without hepatic fibrosis may have a normal life expectancy with phlebotomy. The main causes of death in untreated hereditary hemochromatosis are cirrhosis (32%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (30%).

What are the symptoms of low transferrin saturation?

This reduces the person's oxygen levels and can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, chest pain, and breathlessness. There are over 400 types of anemia. Common causes are blood loss, reduced or impaired RBC production, and the destruction of RBCs. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia.

What does transferrin level indicate?

A high TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency, but they are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives. A low TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin may also occur if someone has malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.

What level of anemia is severe?

For all of the tested groups, moderate anemia corresponds to a level of 7.0-9.9 g/dl, while severe anemia corresponds to a level less than 7.0 g/dl.

What is the life expectancy of a person with hemochromatosis?

Most people with hemochromatosis have a normal life expectancy. Survival may be shortened in people who are not treated and develop cirrhosis or diabetes mellitus.

Can high iron cause weight gain?

Supplied iron is likely to be related to weight gain due to insulin resistance or the amount of excess iron, as shown in our study.

Is ferritin a tumor marker?

Ferritin: a tumor marker expressed by renal cell carcinoma.

What type of inflammation causes high ferritin?

Summary. There is increasing evidence that circulating ferritin levels may not only reflect an acute phase response but may play a critical role in inflammation. MAS, AOSD, cAPS and septic shock are associated with very high levels of ferritin.

Does high ferritin cause joint pain?

Symptoms. Symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis often appear in midlife. Early symptoms may be nonspecific and often include joint pain, fatigue and weakness.

What foods to avoid if you have high ferritin levels?