Can you have high ferritin and low iron at the same time?

Background: Serum ferritin, frequently used as a marker of iron status in individuals with chronic kidney disease, is also an inflammatory marker. The concurrent combination of high serum ferritin and low iron saturation ratio (ISAT) usually poses a diagnostic dilemma.

Why would you have low iron but high ferritin?

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.

Can you have high ferritin and be anemic?

In hospitalized patients with other acute medical problems, the ferritin levels can be elevated and may mask a true iron deficiency anemia.

What causes low TIBC levels in blood?

The most common cause of low TIBC is excess iron in the body [7]. Iron overload can happen due to poisoning, or in some hereditary disorders, such as hemochromatosis, thalassemia, or sickle cell anemia [7, 8]. However, not everyone with iron overload will have low TIBC.

What cancers are associated with high ferritin levels?

In addition to breast cancer, the serum ferritin level has also been found to be elevated in patients with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, and the level was closely associated with the prognosis.

What causes high TIBC?

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.

Why is TIBC low in anemia of chronic disease?

The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), an indirect measurement of transferrin, is low in anemia of chronic disease because there is ample iron, but it is not easily available. TIBC tends to be increased when iron stores are diminished and decreased when they are elevated.

What does low TIBC and high ferritin mean?

High levels of TIBC indicate a low amount of iron “filling seats” on the bus. This is one way to tell if ferritin levels are elevated due to inflammation—a normal or high ferritin level coupled with high TIBC indicates inadequate intake of iron.

What autoimmune diseases cause high ferritin levels?

Ferritin in autoimmune diseases Hyperferritinemia is known to be associated with autoimmune diseases, such as SLE, RA and MS [3–7], and also in serological antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) [8] (Table 1).

What liver disease causes high ferritin levels?

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States. It is an inherited condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. The extra iron builds up in several organs, especially the liver, and can cause serious damage.