Question 1

what causes iron levels to be too high?

Accepted Answer

Lots of reasons: Many acute infections raise iron-binding proteins in the blood briefly. Popping a few iron pills can do it. Hemochromatosis, anemia of chronic disease and a few others often do it as well. Remember reference ranges are set so that a few percent of healthies fall outside at either end. Always look at the big picture when considering labs.

Question 2

can high iron levels be caused by dehydration?

Accepted Answer

Depends on details: Dehydration has different meanings depending on one's perspective. Many non-dehydrated people say they are dehydrated, because equate being extra thirsty with being dehydrated. Iron levels are just numbers, several of them. They have little meaning unless a doctor sees the whole picture. That means there is no good answer here, without knowing many details of the case.

Question 3

what are the health risks of having high iron levels?

Accepted Answer

Liver; diabetes: Hemochromatosis, having too much iron, can cause liver problems and pancreas problems (= diabetes). Persons with hemochromatosis should see a hematologist and undergo regular phlebotomy (blood letting)

Question 4

are low iron levels and high bilirubin levels connected?

Accepted Answer

May be, may be not: Further evaluation is obviously needed. I can't say whether it is related or not without getting more information. In many cases- probably those two are not related. However in a case of colon cancer with metastatic disease to the liver- it  can cause both increase of bilirubin level as well as low iron.  Go to see your md and discuss further your condition.

Question 5

got blood results today and indicate high iron levels. is there anything i can do about it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but...: It depends on why you are having too much iron...You should find out the underlying disease...If it is very mild, may not need to do anything. Stop all supplements if u r taking.
Donate blood regularly will lower your iron level, if you need so--in such disease as hemochromatosis etc..
Young and healthy male may have  higher iron than average, females have a bit less due to monthly loss..

Question 6

is  a ferritin reading of 284  very high for a 58 year old woman who used to have low iron levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is high: It is high as normal ferritin level in women is 12to150ng/ml.Discuss the result along with hemoglobin, and iron level etc with your doctor.

Question 7

my iron is 16. what cause this? how can i treat it? and what is the health risk of high iron levels

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin?: I assume you mean hemoglobin. This is within normal range and warrants no intervention. Please ask your treating doctor for a more detailed explanation

Question 8

my iron levels are worrying. how can i raise my ferritin levels without causing the iron to go too high?

Accepted Answer

Don't Rx a lab value: And especially, don't try to be your own physician based on things you've read on the internet. If you have a low serum ferritin, you're probably iron deficient and your first and foremost concern is why -- i.e., do you have stomach / colon cancer? Ulcer? Hookworm? Many 'healthy' / veg diets are iron deficient. Treating iron deficiency won't make you sick from 'too high iron'.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of low iron levels in men?

Accepted Answer

Why do you ask?: If a man feels tired or has diminished exercise tolerance, anemia is a consideration. It needs to be investigated by a physician. Self-treatment by taking iron will simply mask the cause of iron deficiency, which especially in a man is a bleeding ulcer or stomach cancer until proved otherwise. If the guy is iron-deficiency from vegetarianism, he needs to wise up and supplement. Best wishes.

Question 10

what are some of the symptoms of low iron levels?

Accepted Answer

Anemia: The most common would be anemia-related symptoms which include lethargy, fatigue, cold intolerance, and shortness of breath on exertion.

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Doctor answers about:

What are the symptoms of high iron levels

A member asked:

What causes iron levels to be too high?

A member asked:

Can high iron levels be caused by dehydration?

A member asked:

What are the health risks of having high iron levels?

A member asked:

Are low iron levels and high bilirubin levels connected?

A member asked:

Got blood results today and indicate high iron levels. is there anything i can do about it?

A member asked:

Is a ferritin reading of 284 very high for a 58 year old woman who used to have low iron levels?

A member asked:

My iron is 16. what cause this? how can i treat it? and what is the health risk of high iron levels

A member asked:

My iron levels are worrying. how can i raise my ferritin levels without causing the iron to go too high?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of low iron levels in men?

A member asked:

What are some of the symptoms of low iron levels?

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