How to Treat High Ferritin when you have Normal Iron Levels

Can you have high ferritin without having high iron levels? Today you’ll learn about this common cause of high ferritin and how to fix it. I’m Dr. Tom Rofrano from The Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A common thing I see in patients is abnormal ferritin levels. 

What Causes High Ferritin Levels?

In this case, we’re going to talk about high ferritin. One of the more common causes I’ve seen for high ferritin is not iron overload, but metabolic syndrome which is also known as insulin resistance, or can be pre-diabetes. You may have a combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low HDL, and high triglycerides. It often involves excess belly fat, high glucose, A1C, and insulin. 

So how do you know what is the cause of your high ferritin levels? Proper lab testing is number one. As an example, I had a patient recently who complained of fatigue, digestive symptoms, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, insomnia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, frequent urinary tract infections, and many other symptoms.

Lab Tests to Determine the Root Cause of High Ferritin

The first thing I run is a comprehensive health panel to check ferritin, iron, TIBC, and percent saturation, along with CBC chemistry panel, CRP for inflammation, GGT, LDH, lipids, TSH, Free T3, Free T4, uric acid, insulin, and A1c. I also include DHEA, cortisol, B12, folic acid, vitamin D, free and total testosterone, SHBG, estrogen, progesterone, and IGF-1. 

The results of this patient showed, in addition to high ferritin, high insulin levels which indicated insulin resistance. He also had high inflammation and was anemic. Yes, he had high ferritin but was anemic—low hemoglobin and low RBC’s—and many other positive findings as well. 

He also had multiple nutrient deficiencies, toxins, infections, yeast overgrowth, gut inflammation, and leaky gut. He had hormonal imbalance—low DHEA and testosterone—as well as gluten sensitivity with Celiac genetics, and other food sensitivities. 

High Ferritin Treatment Solutions without Therapeutic Phlebotomy

The treatment to help this patient with high ferritin due to insulin resistance and inflammation included diet and supplements.  I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet I’ve developed over the last 37 years of practice. I call it the FreeDiet® because it’s free of gluten, grains, sugar, yeast, dairy, eggs, soy, legumes, nightshades, and processed foods. These foods are responsible for inflammation, digestive, and other chronic health issues. 

The diet consists of a smoothie for breakfast that is high in protein, essential fats, fruits and vegetables, and fiber. For lunch and dinner: a protein, meat, chicken, or fish with plenty of vegetables, a lot of healthy fats, and avoid snacks in between meals. 

You can have a copy of FreeDiet® phase one food chart here so you can see what that looks like. It also includes other information which contains a recipe for the breakfast smoothie. 

Supplements to support those with High Ferritin Levels

The basic Functional Five™ are multivitamin, vitamin D, probiotic, fish oil, and magnesium. When someone has insulin resistance issues, I use a product called CardioMetaboliX™ to support healthy blood sugar levels along with Curcumin and Liver Support, Vitamin C, digestive support supplements, and other nutrients that he was deficient in.

After one month when he came in for testing, his ferritin dropped from 512 to 316, almost 40% reduction in one month. His insulin levels had over 75% reduction in four weeks. There was also a decrease in uric acid, and his kidney function and liver function improved to normal. The inflammatory marker, CRP, went down 65% to optimal levels,he was no longer anemic after four weeks, and his platelets went down to normal. 

His ANA, which is an autoimmune marker, was normal after four weeks, Hashimoto’s thyroid antibodies improved, and his DHEA went up dramatically to normal levels as cortisol decreased to the normal range. 

His testosterone went up over 50% to 164 points to normal level and the best part was he was feeling more energy, sleeping through the night, and got off his sleeping pills. He dropped 17 pounds in four weeks, his back pain and joint pain improved and he was feeling so much better. 

Discover the Root Cause so you can Reduce High Ferritin Levels

The number one thing for high ferritin is you want to find out what is causing it. Then get the proper testing because if you find out the underlying root cause, you can be provided the right solution. When you do this, I believe most anyone can get better. 

Feel free to retrieve your complimentary copy of the FreeDiet® Phase One food chart or read more about ferritin in my book, The FreeDiet®. If you would like help personally, you can contact us at info@nmcwellness.com.