Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Moonflower on January 08, 2021, 12:30:15 PM
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Hi everyone,
I'm post menopausal at 47 and wondered if having high ferritin levels is something to do with being post menopausal??
Susie
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Morning. :welcomemm:
We have a good search facility so mayB put 'high ferritin levels' in to see what threads might pop up. Make notes ;-).
Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.
Peri-menopause are the years leading to loss of periods: mine waxed and waned for several years B4 they went completely ::). One is considered menopausal after 2 years with no bleeds.
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Hi Moonflower. Sometimes high ferritin only becomes apparent when periods stop as the body is no longer getting rid of the excess iron each month. Have you had all of the investigations to check for the cause?
You are young to be post menopause. Are you experiencing any Meno symptoms? Do have a good browse around the site and the forum for advice.
You will find lots of support on here.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Hi Taz,
Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated.
Well, I started the perimonopause at age 45 and that lasted about 6 months. The worst probs for me are atrophy, DIV and ectopics. I just had bloods for the ectopics. Heart is ok but consultant says my ferritin levels are 300. Of course I start googling and got scared...
Never knew the drop in oestrogen would cause so many probs...I had a chocolate cyst on my right ovary years ago and had it removed. I'm wondering if they accidentally removed my ovary and never told me...and that may have sent me into an early menopause...people always had probs seeing it in the scans..
Susie
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My bones and joints hurt a bit too. I'm wondering if I should take HRT before I fall apart. Suddenly I feel old...
Susie
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Hi Moonflower, love your username. Welcome to the forum. I also have high ferritin (last 4 blood tests spanning 2 years). After many investigations, different doctors have agreed that it's one of the signs of metabolic syndrome. It has started in perimenopause, but blood tests results were variable, but now that I'm 4 years postmenopause it has become a constant issue. I also have increased glucose, LDL and triglycerides, but they're slowly improving with some changes in diet and I'm sure they will get better once I do more physical exercises, never liked them, unfortunately. Do you have any other altered blood tests results or is it just ferritin?
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The symptoms of haemochromotosis (high iron levels) include joint pain. Has this been mentioned Moonflower? It can also cause periods to change or stop?
Taz x
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My blood tests came back with high ferratin levels but the dr didn't seem concerned,being veggie,he said it was probably my diet. Do you take supplements?
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Hi jaypo, I'm veggie, do you think there's a correlation?
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According to this article higher ferritin levels are expected for postmenopausal women (same levels as men).
'Ferritin is an intracellular iron storage protein and a marker of iron stores. Normal serum ferritin levels vary between laboratories but generally concentrations >300 µg/L in men and postmenopausal women and >200 µg/L in premenopausal women are regarded as elevated. Low ferritin values provide absolute evidence of iron deficiency. Raised levels often indicate iron overload, but they are not specific, as ferritin is an acute phase protein and is also released from damaged hepatocytes; thus levels are elevated in inflammatory disorders, liver disease, alcohol excess, or malignancy.'
https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h3692
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A lack of oestrogen can cause aches and pains. It can also cause vaginal atrophy and bladder issues, so do read the threads ;-)
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Hi jaypo, I'm veggie, do you think there's a correlation?
I think maybe there is uptick, I guess it depends on your diet,I do eat quite a lot of green veg plus I was taking a multivitamin for women 50+ The dr said it was a good thing
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It's so nice of you all to contribute to this chat. Thank you!
Uptick - I had blood tests to investigate my ectopics and I guess only any relevant ones that could affect the heart. The other thing that came up high was antinuclear antibodies in the blood which the consultant said could be to do with inflammation like rheumatism. I am getting strange nodules in my finger joints....
Taz - I haven't been told anything more about the high ferratin levels as the consultant was a heart specialist. He said he'll write to my docs and ask them to do another blood test in a couple of months. I just hope it's not anything to do with cancer..
I could really do with having a good chat with somebody about the menopause and what action to take next. Can anybody recommend any good experts near Epping in Essex? (or anybody by telephone) I broke my ankle last year too and wondering if my bones are suddenly brittle. It's still only about 70% better after a whole year. From this disaster, I started having ectopics, menopause probs and have been at home for over a year due to broken ankle and then Covid... it's been tough!
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There is a link to the BMS on the menu bar above, labelled "Specialists". It will help you search for an accredited menopause specialist in your area.
JP x
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Thank you JP!
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Jaypo - I don't take any supplements apart from Vit D with K2 and Omega 3, 6, 9 so not sure why my ferratin levels are high. How can one reduce iron levels?
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It's so nice of you all to contribute to this chat. Thank you!
Taz - I haven't been told anything more about the high ferratin levels as the consultant was a heart specialist. He said he'll write to my docs and ask them to do another blood test in a couple of months. I just hope it's not anything to do with cancer..
High levels of ferritin can be caused by a condition called haemotomocrosis (spelling?) and this specific condition can have an effect on the heart which is probably why it was checked. I'm sure your cardiac consultant would have raised concerns if this was a possible diagnosis?
Taz x
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Thanks Taz! You're absolutely right! I just spoke to a doc and he said the same thing! If the consultant said my heart is ok then hemochromatosisis is unlikely.
He said they start to do some investigations when the ferratin levels hit 300 so I guess I'll wait for the next blood test.
Mind you, I'm still none the wiser with regards to my ectopics investigations.
Thank you x
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I'm glad you've spoken to your doc. I have ectopic beats too but only when not in HRT. They are so unsettling aren't they?
Taz x
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It's so nice of you all to contribute to this chat. Thank you!
Uptick - I had blood tests to investigate my ectopics and I guess only any relevant ones that could affect the heart. The other thing that came up high was antinuclear antibodies in the blood which the consultant said could be to do with inflammation like rheumatism. I am getting strange nodules in my finger joints....
Inflammation can raise ferritin levels, so if you have a confirmation of chronic inflammation due to arthritis, this could explain your ferritin levels.
Haemochromatosis raises ferritin levels due to iron overload, the most useful test to aid differentiation of true iron overload from other causes is the serum transferrin saturation.
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Taz, the ectopics are a nuisance! They really make me jump when they happen. Does HRT help to banish them then? I only started getting them last year but I'm getting them daily :-(. Wondering if also something to do with the menopause.
Uptick, thank you. You're so knowledgeable! I'm so glad I've found this site.
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Yep uptick, I just looked haemochromatosis up as that worried me too, I have arthritic fingers,so maybe that's why my ferratin levels were up too,could you please be my dr? :D
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I only developed ectopics during later peri-meno and within a week of starting transdermal HRT they disappeared. I've had to stop using HRT twice in the past 13 years and both times they returned. It is a common symptom of menopause thought to be linked to low oestrogen.
Taz x
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Oh Taz they ARE worrying,I've had them since my 30s and still have them today,just hope they're not damaging my heart in any way
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It's good to know that HRT may banish those ectopics!
There is a brilliant cardiologist on YouTube called Sanjay Gupta (also known as the York Cardiologist) and he has a video which is called "Are my ectopic heart beats damaging my heart". He said the answer is no unless you have several thousands every day consistently for years. He said he has a patient who has 20,000 per day and is still ok.
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Thank you moonflower x