After taking 1 iron supplement for 3 months my iron is a touch on the high side so I have to quit taking it. However, my ferritin is only 22. I can't seem to get my ferritin up. I know that my iron will go back down here in the next few months and I will have to take it again.

Why is my body getting high iron readings, but not really doing much in the way of ferritin?

I'm not sure but I think it could be because you are taking a supplement you have a lot of iron circulating but not necessarily being put into stores yet. I had this happen with one of my blood tests and the Hematologist told me the iron reading might be off if I am taking iron supplements. I have read that serum iron can flunctuate a great deal depending on what you eat, etc so it makes sense that supplements may alter it. Of course, I am no Dr. so this is just my own theory and what my Hematologist said. Maybe someone else knows a little better about this.

I was recently told that serum iron readings are basically useless and that doctors don't really use them anymore. Serum iron can flucate all day long depending on what you are eating. I was also told that they don't provide a true picture if you are supplementing. The best test is really the ferritin. As long as that number doesn't go above the normal range, you aren't in any danger of damaging your organs.

Really? I had no idea. So you think I should start taking the iron again? I guess I should call my doctor...it's just that he doesn't seem to care. Well, maybe I shouldn't say that, maybe he does care but I was the one who had to request a blood test after taking the supplement since January. I was disappointed that they just treat me and leave me. I thought it was the iron level that was bad for you. Mine was only 7 points above the norm.

I think it's high levels of ferritin that are more dangerous because this would mean you are storing higher levels of iron in your organs. The serum iron is just what is circulating in the blood. I would definitely talk to your Dr. and see if he/she can clear this up for you.

Really? I had no idea. So you think I should start taking the iron again? I guess I should call my doctor...it's just that he doesn't seem to care. Well, maybe I shouldn't say that, maybe he does care but I was the one who had to request a blood test after taking the supplement since January. I was disappointed that they just treat me and leave me. I thought it was the iron level that was bad for you. Mine was only 7 points above the norm.

Nope, it's definitely ferritin that is the issue. Read up on hemachromocitosis (sp???). This is when you have too much iron. People with this disease are monitored by ferritin tests. That is the number that you don't want to be high. Your serum iron is what is in your bloodstream, not what is being used by your organs or what is in your bone marrow. If you eat a meal of liver, and go get a serum iron test your iron will be high.

I remember the one time I did have a serum iron test they told me that I had to be off my supplements for a week as it will give false readings on the test.

Thanks. It seems to be a cycle with me. Serum iron and saturation will be on the low side, I will take supplements and then they rise above norms. I stop supplements and they go down again. Ferritin doesn't change much...maybe a few points higher...in the cycle.

I think this is the problem with oral iron (at least what I'm starting to read about). They seem to start to correct the anemia but they don't do well on replenishing the iron stores.