Men should always keep tabs on ferritin and women also after menopause. I'd start by donating whole blood on a regular schedule (every 8 weeks). That's what I do. Keeps my levels just right plus helping someone who needs a transfusion.

I have a little familiarity with it. My sweet mother-in-law was eventually diagnosed with hemochromatosis, which is essentially too much iron in the blood. This was back in the early-mid 90’s when she started having liver problems with a diagnosis of cirrhosis, which eventually claimed her life. She went thru a battery of tests, with many doctors not believing she had not been a heavy drinker, had hepatitis, or any number of other things (she had worked as a nurse and some thought she had possibly been exposed unknowingly). She eventually went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL and was properly diagnosed but by then it was too late and the damage had been done. After her death in late ’95 all of her sons (she had 5) were tested. None were positive for it, and my DH has been diligent about further tests indicating a change in his numbers.

It is genetic and I believe it is usually passed on to males. Afyer my mil died i found out a friend’s brother had also died of it. The treatment is to give blood.

💉

Good information in this article.
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/what-is-a-ferritin-blood-test

My husabdn was diagnosed with hemochromatosis but after we kept a good eye on his diet (and I stopped sneaking spinach into everything) it resolved itself.

It involves the liver storing too much iron. It can be genetic or signal liver problems.

I have developed a very rare blood disorder called "hereditary spherocytosis" and live with chronic fatigue and anemia because of it. Red blood cells are deformed, get sent to my spleen and are not repleted as normal. It took a long stay in a Harvard teaching hospital in Boston for my diagnosis. I came close to death. Folic acid and B12, thiamine supplements and "avoiding stress" are the treatments...I am an advanced stage breast cancer survivor and this was put upon me many years after.

Thanks, all. You are always so good about helping me unravel stuff.

I'm interested whether high ferritin may have a link to DH's ongoing problems with what I've dubbed Extreme Restless Leg Syndrome. (His legs spasm strongly enough at night to launch a 3-point kick.) He had sleep study tests and was seen by two neurologists for this earlier this year. They ruled out his diagnosed spinal stenosis as a cause. (Crimp is in the wrong part of the spine to affect legs.)

Thanks to Mdln's link, I see that movement disorders are sometimes associated with high ferritin. I've noted distinct changes in his posture and gait in the past 12-18 months. For now, his primary is 'watching' the ferritin. I'm thinking an MRI would help here (and she has mentioned one).

When you're past 80, it's hard to know what's a medical problem and what's 'just old age'. Then there's the question of whether there's anything to DO about what you find.

I'm sorry this continues to be such a problem for your dh, Chisue. I've written many times before about my (deceased) mother's tough time with severe rls; she had to keep using stronger and stronger narcotics to keep it at bay. They did work, and the only side effects for her were sleepiness (of course,) and itchiness. I've started showing signs of rls from time to time and feel that giving my hamstrings a good stretch is helpful. But at this point I'm sure that won't help your husband. I've always wondered if back issues cause it, as Mom had a bad back and I do too. I thought the experts were guessing that one suffering with rls doesn't have enough ferritin and/or magnesium in one's blood?

I have a friend whose father died of genetic hemochromatosis so her doctor keeps tabs on her blood levels, and she donates on a regular basis to keep it down. I'm sorry you two have so many medical issues that are big concerns! It's good to see you posting.

My husband had the same thing about 10 years ago. No explaination why: we eat the same foods. He had many trips to the doctor and heart specialist. It seemed to go away on its own which is odd. I told him a couple times to come with me to donate a bag of blood when I donate (55 times so far... ) and he didn't want to. I honestly do not remember him taking anything to help rid his body of the excess iron. We never changed our diet.