Have you ever looked at your blood test results and noticed that something referred to as "ferritin" was elevated? Perhaps your primary care physician disregarded it, or even worse, never mentioned anything about it. High ferritin levels are actually extremely important and could be connected to inflammation in the body, so read on to find out why you shouldn’t ignore this iron marker in your bloodwork!
@drautoimmune #ferritin is an #iron marker but also indicates #inflammation - #hemochromatosis is one reason it elevates but commonly it’s #insulinresistance #sleepapnea #cholecystectomy #sibo or other inflammatory problems - #functionalmedicine gets to the #rootcause so reach out to us and we will change your life! #drautoimmune ♬ original sound - drautoimmune
What Is Ferritin?
Before we dig deeper into ferritin and inflammation, let’s begin with the basics. Ferritin is a protein compound in the blood that controls the amount of iron your body uses. It is also responsible for storing the excess iron. However, if too much ferritin accumulates, your body could be trying to tell you something, and that is where inflammation comes in.
High Ferritin Levels = Inflammation
High ferritin in the body is synonymous with an acute-phase reactant, more commonly known as an inflammatory marker. These types of markers can often become elevated after an injury or surgery, basically indicating stress or inflammation in the body. So what might be causing this inflammation?
- Recent surgeries (like gallbladder removal, for example)
- Insulin resistance (think of those sugar cravings and energy slumps after a meal)
- Sleep apnea (yes, snoring might be serious than you think)
Each of these health problems can subtly stoke inflammation, and in turn, that inflammation increases the ferritin levels in your blood.
Why Does High Ferritin Matter?
This goes beyond simple numbers on blood test results. High ferritin is a factor that is linked to a shorter lifespan. Why? Because chronic inflammation slowly wears down your body over time, affecting your heart and brain, and everything in between. And the worst part is, you might not even realize it’s happening, since ferritin levels can often be overlooked and symptoms of inflammation can be unassuming or chalked up to be something else. That’s why checking your ferritin numbers and digging into why your levels are high is so important!
So What Can You Do?
Traditional medicine is symptom-centered and only focuses on the “what,” while functional medicine addresses the “why.” If your ferritin is high (or you suspect it might be), you need to:
- Evaluate root causes and more in-depth issues, such as insulin resistance.
- Tackle inflammation with proper diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements.
- Partner with a functional medicine doctor who prioritizes listening and thinking critically beyond the standard.
Ferritin is so much more than an iron marker in your bloodwork. It’s an inflammatory marker that could indicate other underlying health conditions that might be going unnoticed.
Learn More About Root Cause Functional Medicine Testing
At Dr. Autoimmune, we view bloodwork differently. Our functional medicine perspective looks at the bigger picture– not simply what is “in range,” but what is optimal for you. Our blood panel looks at over 80+ markers, and our telehealth consultations mean you can access quality care no matter where you live!
High ferritin levels could be a health signal that deserves your attention. Get started with us and schedule your initial consultation and functional medicine bloodwork today!
