Treating high ferritin levels, or hyperferritinemia, focuses on addressing the underlying cause and lowering iron levels if necessary. The specific treatment will depend on what's causing the elevated ferritin. Here's an overview of potential treatment options, drawing upon information from the provided references:
Here's how high ferritin can be treated:
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Addressing the Underlying Cause: High ferritin is often a symptom of another condition (inflammation, liver disease, etc.). Identifying and treating that condition is crucial.
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Dietary Changes:
- Your healthcare provider will likely advise avoiding iron supplements. (Reference 1)
- Reducing the intake of iron-rich foods might also be recommended.
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Therapeutic Phlebotomy:
- This procedure involves removing blood from the body using a needle and tube, which also removes iron. (Reference 3)
- It's a common treatment for conditions like hemochromatosis (iron overload).
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Iron Chelation Therapy:
- Medications are used to bind to excess iron in the body, allowing it to be excreted. (Reference 2)
- This is often used when phlebotomy isn't suitable.
| Treatment | Description | When it's Used |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Changes | Avoiding iron supplements and possibly reducing iron-rich foods. | When iron overload is mild or contributing to the high ferritin. |
| Therapeutic Phlebotomy | Removing blood (and iron) from the body. | Often for hemochromatosis and other iron overload conditions. |
| Iron Chelation Therapy | Medications that bind to iron, allowing it to be excreted. | When phlebotomy isn't an option. |
