Question: Hi there,

I recently learned that I have slightly high iron in my blood, but not high ferritin, and am wondering what this means.

Normal range for Iron according to the test is 45-170 MCG/DL, and mine came out 176. However, Ferritin came out to be 78 NG/ML (with a normal range listed as 20-345). [There are several other bloodtest numbers in the full report - if anything else is related to iron, please ask and I can see if I have that data.]

I'm wondering how concerned should I be? Is this a possible indicator of hemochromatosis or iron overload? Could it be causing organ damage at this level?

Additionally, I occasionally have a metallic taste in my mouth accompanied by slight mouth tenderness/tooth pain (I'd call it extremely sensitive teeth more than anything). These always seem to come together, and I was told it's possibly due to dry mouth, but I was wondering if iron could have anything to do what that. Could this be related?

I'm having a followup blood test within the next month to see if my levels are still high. My doctor didn't seem to make a big deal about this, but reading about hemochromatosis alarmed me, so I want to make sure I'm in no immediate danger.

Thanks!

Thank you - this has eased my mind considerably re the hi iron, and I understand it's not a concern!

One last question if you don't mind based on my labs (though unrelated to iron specifically)!

I notice tonight on the sheet that lists my lab orders, it also lists "Active Medical Conditions." Among them are some that I don't have, such as arthritis and shortness of breath, so I believe this to be (for some reason I don't understand and need to ask my doctor about) inaccurate. However, my concern is it also lists arrhythmia, which I don't believe I have (the doctor never mentioned it) and I'm hoping it too is an inaccuracy.

My pulse feels normal (below 100, usually 60's, 70's, and 80's at rest, and quite steady). I also had an echocardiogram last year, and all doppler results came back normal with no mention of any irregularities. In addition, my blood pressure machine is supposed to detect abnormal heartbeat, and it never does (I've only gotten it if, say, I were to suddenly move or on very, very, very rare occasions).

Is it safe to assume I likely do not have an arrhythmia? Would this be detected via feeling my own pulse, my BP machine, or show up on the echo in the lab results if I did have any kind of arrhythmia?

Thanks again!

Thank you!

I will be sure to discuss with my physician in a few weeks time when I have my appointment (and I actually called and left a message for clarification [as I'm hoping like the other things that I know i don't have it's just a strange anomaly on the sheet listing]).

I would think if this were important, the doctor would have discussed it with me, correct?

Also, would the echo have mentioned this if it were present?

Thanks again!