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Hi, I Recently Got Blood Work Done Which Showed Total

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Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2020
Question: Hi, I recently got blood work done which showed total iron levels high but low ferritin. What does this mean?
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Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unusual picture of high iron and low ferritin, further investigations requi

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Ask A Doctor forum.
I have gone through your lab report.
The iron profile picture shows high iron levels with high total iron binding capacity and normal saturation but ferritin is still low.
This is an unusual situation since total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is sensitive to iron levels.
High iron levels lead to low TIBC.
High iron in serum is not being converted to stored form of iron I.e. ferritin.
I suggest you to consult a hematologist for further investigations.
Certain advanced investigations - transferrin receptors and zinc porphyrin also need to be done.
A bone marrow aspiration needs to be done to look for iron stores in bone marrow.
The investigations suggest that serum iron is not being converted to ferritin.
The cause for this needs to be found out to plan management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Shailja Puri

Pathologist and Microbiologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 9705 Questions

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Hi, I Recently Got Blood Work Done Which Showed Total

Brief Answer: Unusual picture of high iron and low ferritin, further investigations requi Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query on Ask A Doctor forum. I have gone through your lab report. The iron profile picture shows high iron levels with high total iron binding capacity and normal saturation but ferritin is still low. This is an unusual situation since total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is sensitive to iron levels. High iron levels lead to low TIBC. High iron in serum is not being converted to stored form of iron I.e. ferritin. I suggest you to consult a hematologist for further investigations. Certain advanced investigations - transferrin receptors and zinc porphyrin also need to be done. A bone marrow aspiration needs to be done to look for iron stores in bone marrow. The investigations suggest that serum iron is not being converted to ferritin. The cause for this needs to be found out to plan management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri