What Causes High Iron Levels?
High iron levels, also known as iron overload, can stem from various factors. The most common cause is a genetic mutation leading to hemochromatosis, where the body absorbs excessive iron from the diet. However, several other factors can also contribute to elevated iron levels.
- Hemochromatosis: This inherited disorder affects how the body processes iron, resulting in excessive iron absorption and accumulation. This is often caused by a gene change that controls the body's iron absorption.
Secondary Causes of High Iron Levels
Secondary causes are not genetic but arise from various conditions and behaviors:
- Blood transfusions: Receiving multiple blood transfusions introduces extra iron into the body, which can accumulate over time. This is a common cause of iron overload in individuals with certain blood disorders requiring frequent transfusions.
- Hemolysis: Conditions leading to the increased breakdown of red blood cells release iron into the bloodstream, contributing to iron overload. Disorders that cause abnormal breakdown of red blood cells are also a cause of secondary iron overload.
- Excessive dietary iron intake: While rare, consuming extremely high levels of iron through diet, such as using iron cookware for cooking or brewing alcohol in iron pots, can cause iron overload. Iron overload from excess iron in the diet is very rare, but can be caused by cooking and brewing alcohol in crude iron pots or skillets.
- Iron pills or injections: Taking excessive iron supplements or receiving frequent iron injections can also lead to high iron levels. Iron pills or injections are examples of secondary causes of iron overload.
- Kidney dialysis: Long-term kidney dialysis can increase iron levels in the body. Kidney dialysis over a long period of time is a possible contributor to iron overload.
- Liver disease: Certain liver conditions can contribute to elevated iron levels. This includes inflammatory disorders, and liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)/fatty liver
- Alcohol excess: Excessive alcohol consumption can also play a role in increased iron levels. This is a factor related to secondary iron overload.
Elevated ferritin levels in blood tests often indicate high iron stores. Serum ferritin >300 ng/ml in males and greater than 150 to 200 ng/ml in menstruating females can indicate iron overload.
