Why do I have high iron saturation and low ferritin?

The number one question I receive in regards to iron is this:
My iron and/or my iron saturation is high but my ferritin is low and I have all the symptoms of iron deficiency. What should I do?
Should I just discount the high iron and keep pumping iron supplements until my ferritin comes into optimal range?
Should I stop my iron supplements because I am becoming iron toxic?
Do I have hemochromatosis?
Lab markers to get checked:
Serum iron
Iron saturation
TIBC
Ferritin
Rarely does zeroing in on one marker paint a complete picture of iron status and metabolism.
Factors that may contribute to high serum iron:
Low B12
Elevated lead
Oral contraceptives
Estrogen therapy
Cortisone therapy
Estrogen dominance
Liver or kidney issues
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[@DrWholeness]

➡ Get Dr. Matt's free guide to overcoming iron deficiency optimizeiron.com/guide/

[@robeeenz]

I went to 12 doctors that didn’t know what ferritin was in 2021. 12. I was dying and begging them to test it. They refused. I lost faith in western medicine and study on my own to stay healthy. I am so happy there are people like you talking about it.

[@81redddd]

Me too, that’s why I joined a iron group on Facebook and found out that I can order my labs through a company called ulta

[@Miss_Akashiya]

2024 and same shit here. My doctor told me my iron is too high even! He only looked at the iron. Didn't even gave a shit about the ferritin at all. Then I checked the lab results myself and wondered about the very low ferritin... Often doctors don't know shit sadly.

[@tamara23ish]

Wow! I have had severe B12 deficiency going on eight years now and no one has ever been able to figure out my high levels of saturated serum ( iron)and low ferritin. What a blessing this has been to find your video.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😂

[@shinola228]

I just donated blood and did not know I need B6 and B12 to replace my hemoglobin. So thanks for making this video. The donation center should put this on their discharge paper.

[@Miss_Akashiya]

I am in extreme fatigue since months now. Had my doctor check my blood. My ferritin was very low but because my iron was high my doctor said "oh you have too much iron actually!" Now after your video I finally know what's wrong and can treat myself. It's 2024 and my doctor didn't even consider mentioning my ferritin being 13. And in addition I have fatigue symptoms. I am so so thankful for your video. It's so hard to find a good doctor sometimes. So many don't know anything I have learnt sadly Thank you so much for helping me

[@DrWholeness]

Great to hear you have a plan. All the best!

[@stanlevox2291]

For the kiddo, I take 4oz of liver and blend it with 4 pasture raised eggs. Turn it into an omlet, about 4 times per week for about a year now. Sometimes I'll also add in additional cow honeycomb tripe with organic apple peel powder and/or lions mane mushroom powder to make it more solid of an omlet, texture-wise. I know that eggs can inhibit iron absorbtion a bit and this lowers once cooked, but I'll still supplement with a tiny bit of iron glycinate. With the iron glycinate I'll usually give that every other day as the ferritin hormone(s) spikes for awhile. Otherwise methylated bcomplex. A bottle last forever for a child because you don't need anywhere near a whole capsule. About 1mg of copper as it's a cofactor for iron utilization in the body. Also used some asorbate (not ascorbic acid) couple times a week which seemed to make a big difference. Though I know with C its kinda a careful balance to avoid too much, so I base it off how much liquid consumption it being a water soluble vitamin. Also you can take an 4-8oz steak and blend it right up into an omlet works bout the same as liver, I reccomend starting off small and working up over the course of 2 months if they're a picky eater and getting a magic bullet or a vaccume blender. Un related iron stuff: Since at least I find it difficult to get the youngster to eat seafood. With milk, I'll add 3 grams of taurine at night along with nordic naturals fish oil and magnesium glycinate at night. Also I include 40mg pqq, and 24mg of astaxanthin and a table spoon of organic sunflower lecthin liquid to provide the Phosphidyl Choline and Phosphidyl serine. 3mg of boron. DIM (Diindolymethane) about 10mg-20mg so once again a bottle last forever, this is to prevent estrogen spikes which estrogen will start to fuse bone structure so less is more with DIM because we don't want the bones to fuse and end up short statured. If urine is dark like dehydration then dose is a bit too high for the kiddo. Also supplement with rhodiola and a tiny bit of l theanine to off set stress hormone cortisol. The macros are always important so 1/2 cup of Pistachios per day, less lectins in these types of nuts and less falates that will potentially bind to iron. Lots of grass fed butter and real olive oil. Beta carotene rich foods to increase iron absorbtion even if it's just simply carrots and aliced bell peppers. Anyway, my 2 cents.

[@vimalneha]

Very good information. Hardly any doctor in Munich knows any of points you raised. That is why i am investigating this for my daughter...

[@lindsaylivingston9754]

This was a super helpful video. I have a rare disorder called Hypophosphatasia. I take an enzyme replacement drug that eats B6 so you can’t really test for B6 levels from a blood test because the drug eats the B6 in the test tube on the way to the lab no accurate lab results will be gotten. So I’ve been feeling like crap for 2 weeks just exhausted achy and went to doctor to get blood work and came back with very high iron labs and low average ferritin labs no supplementation. I was like what the heck. Did some research came up with all the normal things for that that didn’t fit. Typed in KZbin got your video first up watched it and the second thing you said was due to B6 and went “Oh Yeah that’s why! Called my endocrinologist for B6 supplements and I’m sure we will be golden in a few weeks. Thanks man!

[@DrWholeness]

thanks for watching.

[@feather2643]

My ferritin is 10. This video didnt really answer how to transfer serum iron into ferritin stores. Please advise.

[@wiktoria9787]

you may lack co-factors

[@ritastevenson5639]

Work on healing your gut then eat lots of red meat. Do not have coffee, nuts, beans / legumes, wine, tea anytime near when you eat your meat. Like 2 hours before or after.

[@richspizzaparty]

Take with vitamins b and c for absorption. Don’t take when eating eggs, dairy, oats, nuts.

[@LM-cl6ys]

What are your thoughts on lactoferrin supplements?

[@lisaeccles8036]

This is clear as mud. Ferritin 2 for over 2 months. Iron dropped from 38 to 17. The binding increased to above normal.

[@AndreaBakacs]

Hello Dr Matt! Complex one here! Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Here is my most recent: Iron Total 185 Iron Binding Capacity 294 *Ferritin 22 (chronically low) Saturation 63 (chronically high) WBC 6.1 RBC 4.07 Hemoglobin 12.6 Hematocrit 37.4 MCV 91.9 MCH 31 MCHC 33.7 RDW 12.9% *Platelet Count 150 (getting lower) *MPV 14.4 (always high, always, on every test) *B12 >2000 MMA 111 Vit D 60 Homocysteine 6 hsCRP .9 I have 12 methylation mutations, 12. Nightmare to figure out. I do supplement with hydroxycobalamin after being on super high doses of methylcobalamin as I was told by Genova on my NutrEval last year I was super overmethylated (was also taking TMG.) I also supplement with P5P. I do not have elevated lead, but I do have elevated mercury which could be displacing iron from bones? I've watched your videos, other videos, read quite a few papers, and joined the FB group "Iron Deficiency with or without Anemia.) From everything I've gathered, it's one of 2 things: Iron deficiency without anemia (hypoferritinemia) OR early life hemochromatosis. Both have low ferritin and high saturation. In the former, when ferritin levels drop below 25, the liver will often compensate by synthesizing more transferrin which leads to a pooling of iron in the blood and increased serum iron levels in the face of iron deficiency. This occurs when there’s an iron deficiency. In the latter, the defect in hemochromatosis is that when the short-term storage, transferrin, starts getting fuller than usual, you don't notice it, so you don't stop absorbing iron from food that makes the transferrin saturation go up even further. But you don't shuttle the iron into ferritin. That makes ferritin lower. So which is it? I have been tested for the most common HFE variant. I'm told to diagnose I'd need HFE C282Y/H63D with YY/DD. I have CY/HH. So I do have one missense copy. But I'm also told this type is not associated in any study with iron overload. It is homozygous, so the yy/dd, or two heterozygous, so cy/hd .. the HH variant I have is considered a "neutralizing agent" for the variant, meaning, if the HH is present, the other variant even if yy would not express. And my hsCRP is within normal range too. I am not on HRT. Would absolutely love your thoughts please! Thank you so much in advance!!

[@ciaramaccaro2527]

my labs are almost exactly the same! with the exception of the hemochromatosis genes, haven't been tested yet. But everything down to the methylation issues. Would love some guidance here as well!

[@annjean8709]

Superb video and content!👏🏾 Thank you for sharing.

[@CloD44]

I suffer from hemochromatosis and I have a carrier gene . I control how much iron I take specially red meat . My recent blood test came back as 239 Tibc and 52 total iron saturation …. My b12 was very low that I needed b12 injections 4-6 weeks and vitamin d . I had a skin infection which was causing my levels off also . Great video and info … you hit the spot and makes me see you really know what you’re talking 👏👏.

[@monicasweer7253]

Check the folate levels

[@beginnerssamayal8319]

@@monicasweer7253 why to check folate level

[@beginnerssamayal8319]

How much ur b12 and whether it increase

[@monicasweer7253]

@beginners samayal Because folate levels can be low and the body needs folate, you can research.

[@vornamenachname1069]

There is also one problem not mentioned here: intracellular iron overload. (most likely due to genetic problems with converting iron into ferritin) This is often not talked about but this "uncoupling" of iron and ferritin has been shown to be a predisposing factor or to at least correlate with migraines, schizophrenia and certain types of dementia. And the thing is that meassuring the actual amount of intracellular elemental iron (non-transferin-bound and non-ferritin-bound iron) is quite hard/expensive. One should keep that in mind. I do suffer from migraines from time to time, have a mother with schizophrenia, am compound heterozygote for hemochromatosis and have genes for heamolytic aneamia and when I received some vitamin C injections, both times I was sick for one week with symptoms of schizoaffective disorder which I never had otherwise. Basically, I was bumping into objects while walking, could not speak properly and had a flat affect followed by depressive mood swings and "having the urge to destroy everything around me" - which I never did. Both times, it went away after 5 days on its own without any medication but I did not take a third vitamin C injection... So it's always good to ask for family history of diseases and read into their relation to iron metabolism before acting and taking any kind of supplement.

[@meghnareddy1116]

Yes I do have less vit d and b12 now I understood the correlation with low ferritin. I need to first boost those 2. 😪 Thank you for spreading knowledge. Great good karma to u.

[@maryshores6818]

My iron is high at 220, saturation 57% but ferritin is only 8

[@gracygrace.mp4]

Hi, Dr. Angove! This video really helped me. Do you know what the normal ferritin range is? I used to have H. Pylori and my ferritin was at a 1 before antibiotics and iron infusions. I was feeling a bit better for many years but began to slowly feel ill again. I went to a different doctor 2 years ago and my ferritin level was at a 12 while my iron was at 61 ug/dL and my saturation was at 16%. I was told I was fine and to keep taking iron, which I did. I switched between 65mg per day to taking multivitamins that only contained 18mg, and then alternated and didn't feel much of a difference in my energy. Their standard ferritin range was between 6 to 137. I kept feeling bad and tried many supplements to feel better but nothing worked, and I felt like I was not being heard at this doctor because my bloodwork was normal. So I tried to find solutions on my own. But it's 2 years later, and I could hardly wash my hair recently, so I went to a different doctor this week. My iron level is now at 73 mcg/dL and my saturation is at 20%, so I guess that improved? But my ferritin is now an 8. I am confused because this new clinic's standard ferritin range is 16 to 154. Why do different clinics have different standard ranges? Which is correct? I feel that at my old clinic I would have had to get more and more exhausted until I was taken seriously. Or maybe I am not understanding their process well, so I will forgive it. I am always grateful for my doctors. I have had hair loss since 13 years old and joint pain, and I wonder if this is genetic? My sister also has hair loss and anemia runs in my family, as well as hair loss. I will bring up the points in your video to my doctor this coming week and see what she thinks. She is so kind and took me seriously. I hope all goes well. Thank you for your video! I really appreciate it!

[@amitkumar-nd8hm]

for body to function properly, ferretin should be 100+ (seen from examples)

[@gracygrace.mp4]

@Tiffany Raine Thank you. I have been mainly eating meat and avoiding all else. I feel a big difference already and have been taking heme iron. My ferritin is already up to 23. I have spent my whole life wondering what was wrong. It will take time, but I will get my level up to 100+ eventually 😃 I'm so grateful for the online community. My hematology told me they are only concerned with getting ferritin to safe levels. That is so silly. I will just do it myself. 🙂

[@ukaszk7154]

@@gracygrace.mp4 Get tested for parasites (lambies, flukes, worms and others). They lead to low ferritin, and over the years they can ruin a person

[@binathere2574]

​@@gracygrace.mp4 good job. Keep at it. You will get there. I have just realised how low ferritin is probably affecting me. Copper is important a well. Without copper the blood cells will not be transported from tissue into the bloodstream

[@texasjherrera]

Any updates? Also, are you saying you’re on a carnivore like diet? And what iron supplement are you taking? My ferritin went from 20 to 9 recently and I’ve been feeling lethargic. Doctors don’t seem to think it’s of any concern, offered me a mild antidepressant, can you believe that.

[@OptimusOctopuss5302]

Copper is important for iron absorption and distribution in the body. Copper is often forgotten. I was put on iron supplement by a doctor but there was very poor results on my ferritin levels. Doc didn’t even want to talk about my B12 deficiency. Started taking B-vitamins and copper. After a few months I did increase the amount of B12 separately 2000mcg in the morning and 1000mcg 2-3 hours before bed. All B-vitamins I use are in the methylated form and b12 was also a liposomal form for easy absorption. When I raised the levels of b12 I did after a few days or a week feel like I had a little more energy and my mood changed. Also we started using cast iron when cooking. I will continue my journey and I wanted to share in short my experience. I P.S I don’t trust doctors anymore

[@DrWholeness]

Great to hear you are getting results! Www.optimizeiron.com

[@anatino]

I have low ferritin 12 but hemoglobin is to the high side within range. Transfferin is 0.25 low range

[@jLyn1122]

Ferritin 30 Iron 196 TIBC 386 Saturation 51 RBC 4.36 Hemoglobin 13.6 HCT 38.9 Folate 6.3 B12 492 I’m confused as to why my iron and saturation are high.

[@vitorsousa168]

The problem of most people is in the receptors of iron. That's why ferritin is low. Essentially, most of you'll need transfusion of iron on some periodically basis. Buying more pills is not enough. The good news is that it is better to have low ferritin levels than high ones.

[@luce7180]

Has anyone purchased blood vitality? Has your ferritin improved?

[@leigh24]

TIBC2 372 UIBC 309 Iron 63 Saturation 17% Ferritin 16 Should I keep taking iron? I feel like crud all the time.

[@jovonnenevels5290]

Hemoglobin- 11 Iron- 26 Tcib- 386 Saturation- 7 Please advise

[@DrWholeness]

Looks like you need iron. www.optimizeiron.com

[@ferminromero2602]

No mention of copper and Vitamin A (retinol ) deficiency impact on iron metabolism and recycling. Modern food supply delivers toxic levels of iron filings. No mention of iron biology and chemistry. Naive, narrow look into this subject.

[@amitkumar-nd8hm]

thanks doctor

[@TransitionedOne]

Dr. Matt, I’m concerned about taking Blood Vitality now. The iron infusion I had gave me nasty side affects and I was warned against taking b6 if dealing with inflammation. That it can cause neuropathy.

[@DrWholeness]

So sorry to hear about the infusion side effects. At these levels B6 would not be an issue related to neuropathy.

[@arielborseth7139]

Would someone with these numbers benefit from blood vitality? Iron: 121 IBC: 387 Saturation: 31 Ferritin: 26

[@DrWholeness]

I would expect so. Www.optimizeiron.com

[@arielborseth7139]

Thank you!

[@rebecagaldon2956]

Hi Dr.! You keep mentioning high serum iron but don't mention iron saturation which is a different lab test and I was hoping to find some answers in this video. My ferritin in 35, serum iron 110 and iron saturation is 36%. I want to supplement with iron to improve my ferritin levels, since I suffer from fatigue, hair loss, muscle/joint pain...and my other lab markers are fine. However, I am worried about my iron saturation, why would my iron saturation be high? last Spring it was over 50. I stopped my vit c supplements and it looks like it went down a little, but my ferritin keeps being low. Should I still supplement with iron?Ah ! my B12 is great, 700.

[@Afebmusic]

Hello Dr. Matt, First off wanted to say I appreciate you for making these videos. Think with the access to healthcare most of us have, it would be difficult to get an answer or even an idea of what might be going on if it weren't for your videos. I had an acute kidney injury after nephrotoxicity with the drug, Dymethyl Sulfoxide, after topically administering it at 99% which led to sudden changes in my stools (steatorrhea), bradycardia (39 BPM resting heart rate). My % saturation is at 51% and my ferritin is at a low of 32 ng/ML. Never had any issues or problems until this recent even (happened in March). Iron, Total at 181 and the IBC is at 356. Please let me know if you have any input, advise, or thoughts about what could be going on or who it would be wise to try to talk to. Hope to hear from you.

[@rebecagaldon2956]

Hi! did you find out anything? have the same issue.

[@saved3671]

My iron is 35 and ferritin 65 . All other blood test was ok, FBC and liver function all normal . Why iron higher when ferritin is normal ?

[@phamie3884]

Say serum iron one more time. I kept waiting for you to answer the question proposed on the video but couldn’t take it anymore.

[@DrWholeness]

What was your question?

[@nadias862]

The more ferrochel I take, the lower my ferritin gets and the higher my saturation gets. My b12, b2, and b6 are incredibly high. B12 is >2000 and has been for months even though I don't supplement. My hemoglobin and hematocrit are high. I'm on fluids every other day and low dose aspirin. No one knows what's wrong and since I'm not clotting, we are just ignoring it. I'm stopping my iron supplement.

[@DrWholeness]

You have underlying disease, no hormone therapy? Great plan to stop the iron. Copper, zinc, vitamin A, homocysteine, DHEA, sleep apnea all clear?

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

I have exact these blood markers, high normal iron serum and low normal ferritine. I also have same with B12. B12 serum is high, but my active B12 (HOLOTC) is low but not yet deficient. I would need to do the MMA test to get more info if Im deficient or not as I was still taking high dose B12 up to a week before the bloodtest, but this test is not available for me sadly. My liverfunction is fine I do not have liver cirrosis. I however take a high dosed supplement containing high dose iron (bioavailable), high dose B12 (methylcobalamine), folic acid and a bit of B6. This supplement does miracles for me, but due to high doses of iron (and B6) I do not take it daily. I have possibly genetic pyrphoria in my parental genes and still wait for being tested however I estimate it 95% I do not have the gene myself. Im just careful with iron intake until that test is done. Also because it is dangerous to take high doses of iron in general if there is no confirmed diagnoses to do so.

[@a.r.r.i.9841]

I have isolated chronical low ferritin, all the rest of iton lab is always normal. Ferritin is about 23 and also vitamin D is chronical low ( 23 - 36 max). It all started with Hashimoto years ago. Initially vitamin D was 8. I'm supplementing vitamin D with 20.000 - 40.000 iE per week, doesn't go higher than mentioned. From time to time I'll get iron infusion, but after some months we're back to starting point.

[@DrWholeness]

Consider magnesium and K2, Vitamin A to support both iron and vitamin D.

[@DrWholeness]

www.optimizeiron.com

[@a.r.r.i.9841]

@@DrWholeness All good and also because of Hashimoto and severe migraine I'm used to supplement a lot for years ( vitamin Bs, A, K, C,selen, omega 3, coenzyme Q10, mg, Curcuma/ bioperine ...all suggested by the doctors in a specialized migraine clinic and in higher dosage

[@a.r.r.i.9841]

@@DrWholeness Thanks

[@JHS-nk5pe]

Hi Dr Matt, my ferritin has been bouncing from normal to low for a couple years now and the doctors have not been able to tell me how to improve it. My iron saturation has also been bouncing from normal to high. I have tested positive for ONE HFE GENE PATHOGENIC VARIANT: H63D (HETEROZYGOTE). I don’t eat red meat and try to stay to a mostly vegetarian diet. I was wondering if you could give me some insight. These are my current levels. TIBC 291 Iron 151 Saturation 52 Ferritin 27 B12 954 Hemoglobin 15.3 Thanks in advance for your response.

[@AndreaBakacs]

I'm in the same boat as you as far as numbers go. My doc told me this about my heterozygous mutation (so depends which one you have!) "Hematologists will not even diagnosis until your ferritin jumps. For diagnosis, you have to have ferritin elevated >121 for women, along with high saturation and the homozygous variant of HFE C282Y/H63D, which would be YY/DD. You can also have issues with the compound heterozygous variant - CY/HD. You have CY/HH. So you do have one missense copy. But this type is not associated in any study with iron overload. It is homozygous, so the YY/DD, or two heterozygous, so CY/HD... the HH variant you have is considered a "neutralizing agent" for the variant, meaning, if the HH is present, the other variant even if YY would not express. "

[@andreabraquet4869]

I have a 5 year old girl who has high iron saturation, normal ferritin, high hemoglobin, high hemocrit, high platelets, slightly elevated potassium, and slightly elevated calcium. What would cause that?

[@madhavidasari8302]

Thanks a million for the information doctor. I have iron deficiency anaemia. Taking 2 Livogens per day (ferrous fumarate with elemental iron of 50 mg plus folic acid 1500 mcg each). Hb is 10, RBCs low. Tried ordering Blood Vitality but its not delivered to India. Do I need iron infusion? Ferritin was 13 in 2018. Will get checked again. Having low energy levels. B2, B3 n B6 low. S.Folate ans B12 above range due to supplementation. Due to purple tongue (iron overload ?) taking only one livogen per day. Ferritin not improving. Transferrin low 200mg/dL, ferritin 14 ng/dL, iron 52 micro gm/dL, TIBC 286 micro gm/dL, transferrin saturation 18 %, copper 70 micro gm/dL.

[@veekay9977]

Madhavi, I am from India too and what I have observed here is that our docs are not very wise when it comes to treating iron deficiency. Whats your experience?

[@chaos58503]

My Iron is 192 and my Ferritin is 22. Was told to try Hema-Plus from Nature’s Plus to increase Ferritin. What are your thoughts?

[@beginnerssamayal8319]

Does it increases your ferritin level please reply. The same problem for me

[@pjprevite3021]

Did it work?

[@chaos58503]

So far it has been maintained

[@pjprevite3021]

@@chaos58503 your ferritin is still at 22

[@chaos58503]

No, it’s back near normal. I don’t have the number in front of me but it has been maintained near normal for the last two blood tests

[@FootballShorts7S]

Total iron 238 Saturation 65 Ferritin 11 I have been taking iron pill but now I stoped taking Should I be worried about my total iron saturation is high?

[@venividivici6961]

Hi Matt, my Ferritin is pretty low (38) and my Iron Saturation is high (63). My Red Blood Cell Count, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are high as well. Please help me make sense of this. Thanks for the video.

[@DrWholeness]

Testosterone therapy?

[@venividivici6961]

@@DrWholeness Thanks for getting back to me. I have never been on Testosterone therapy. These were my specific numbers: my RBC was 5.84 (I think in part because my MCV is on the smaller size, at 85), my Hemoglobin was 17.3 and my Hematocrit was 49.9. My Total Iron Binding Capacity, however, was in the optimal range, at 348. Any comments you might have would be much appreciated.

[@DrWholeness]

@@venividivici6961 that would suggest iron deficit.

[@venividivici6961]

@@DrWholeness If I am iron deficient (as my Ferritin measurement suggests), what might be causing my high Hemoglobin levels?

[@jdhaole7650]

​@@venividivici6961 Sleep apnea possibly

[@nestorluca3440]

Dr. Matt, could you please advice what could be the issue : my Ferritin is down to 20 from last year which was 30, while my blood iron is 180 ( also went down a bit since last year - it was 245, way above ref.range). I also measured haemoglobin which was normal; transferrin - normal (3,1 g/l), TIBS - also normal (69,4 umol/l). My doctor just says "i never seen it before" and isn't concerned. But I have lots of fatigue and other new issues since last year and did lots of tests and literally this one is the only abnormal one. Thanks in advance for your response!

[@DrWholeness]

B12, folate, MMA, copper, zinc balance, food intolerance, ANA, reverse T3. Can always trial iron supplementation, recheck in 4-6 weeks. Www.optimizeiron.com

[@binathere2574]

Ferritin at 20 is concerning.

[@luce7180]

I get nauseous when taking Blood Vitality. Is that a normal side effect?

[@suzannebrach2812]

i'm just now digging into this with lab work. but i was diagnosed with pernicious anemia so suspect it's all about b12 deficiency and high levels of cortisol due to inflammatory conditions I'm suffering. My serum levels are high.

[@jaiminelson7004]

What do I do low ferritin levels my iron level saturation is extremely low and I am at a loss and I keep going to the doctors. Yes I’m getting a lot of blood blood test. My T4 and T3 are a little bit low as well.

[@danielserafimovik6802]

Hi Dr I have normal hgb 149 (128-173) male mcv 85 (84-98) serum iron 22 (10-30) tibc 47 (41-77) ferritin 35 (20-250) having symptoms tiredness mainly fatigue, hair issues, cold hands feet do you think I should supplement iron? thanks

[@rodricacamilleribrennan2055]

Thanks for the info. But if a person has low ferritin but iron is high (out of ragne) and Hgb 11 which is not bad, do you still continue iron supplemetation pls (ferrograd 325mgs BD). Thx

[@anaiahgoods]

Can you expand on transferrin and what is needed to get it to an optimal level? My iron is 147 but hct, ferritin, hct, hgb all low and my doctor emails me with Great News! All looks normal. Ugh- so frustrated w MD’s

[@DrWholeness]

Sure thing I will make video on that. Sorry to hear the struggle. Www.bloodvitality.com

[@luce7180]

Can you have headaches when you have low ferritin?

[@DrWholeness]

For sure. Www.Bloodvitality.com

[@jlynnleathewood]

Isn’t it wrong to say that all serum iron is attached to transferrin?

[@DrWholeness]

Yes, but not in relation to what the lab is testing when you see iron on your lab report. "The assay for iron measures the amount of iron which is bound to transferrin." - Quest Diagnostics

[@kimer8375]

Hello. I have Hypophosphatemia from an iron infusion 5 months ago. My question is this. I am on synthroid for my thyroid, phosnak which gives me phosphate and now my ferritin is lowering again. I need a safe iron that won’t interact. I need guidance when to take iron. My b vitamins are in good range. Can you please help me? Is blood vitality safe with these issues?

[@DrWholeness]

All iron you would want to take away from thyroid medication. Blood Vitality works great for low ferritin. www.optimizeiron.com

[@savannabell2842]

Hi Dr.Angrove! I have been supplementing iron due to my ferritin being 48. However, my iron saturation is 48 as well. The saturation range is 16-45 on my chart so it seems a bit high. Total iron is 165 & iron binding capacity is 346. Should I stop supplementing? I’m afraid the saturation is too high. I’ve also been losing hair/eyebrows/eyelashes. Not sure what’s going on. Thank you!

[@DrWholeness]

Might want to check Vitamin A and D status. If you consumed iron within 12 hours of having blood draw then that can acutely raise iron saturation. If iron sat is over 50% I will have patients change their iron supplementing strategy even if ferritin is less than optimal. www.optimizeiron.com

[@savannabell2842]

@@DrWholeness thank you for your response! I feel like my vitamin A would be high as I was on accutane a few months ago:/ I’m not sure about my vitamin D though

[@DrumsBah]

Ive been supplementing iron, after having a ferritin deficiency (29 ug/L). From 2 different GPs Ive had mixed messaging on whether I should continue iron supplementation or not based on my current blood test showing low ferratin/transferrin and high saturation. I still have fatigue as a symptom. Any opinion? Current blood test: Iron 24 umol/L Transferrin 22 umol/L T Saturation 56% Ferritin 39 ug/L

[@marketinginternational2738]

Liver does not make transferin

[@DrWholeness]

But it does. There is also some created locally in the CNS and testicles but 90% is via the liver.

[@Moudiremoo]

Tibc 180. Iron: 114. Saturation 63% my hct, rbc and hm are on upper high range. Also whenever i take b6 i feel stressed and higher cortisol. What this could be? Would appreciate if u answer.

[@jennysiepka9900]

150 ferritin and 191 iron amd 62 iron sat.117 UIBC. smack in middle TIBC. Im confused......im not fitting lots of what im.searching for on utibe😮

[@DrWholeness]

Looks like you have plenty of iron.

[@jennysiepka9900]

@@DrWholeness right. I am wondering too much tho? I do use cast iron and eat red meat everyday. wondering if i should decrease my red meat intake... i know you cant say.. Am just wondering...

[@DrWholeness]

@@jennysiepka9900much more likely to be the cast iron.

[@jennysiepka9900]

@@DrWholeness thank you :)

[@christophermeyer6364]

Hi! My total iron was 206mcg and my percent saturation is 58 which I was told was high also. My ferritin was 118. I was told by both my parents that hemochromatosis was not in there history. Any suggestions?

[@SilvijaKovačević-i6y]

I have same problem, my saturation is 58%, iron over 200, ferritin 33, and I did genetic testing for hemochromatosis and it came negative. It is so frustrating.

[@Lee-u1l9w]

Doctor my ferratin is 35 Serum iron 27.5 Uibc 48 Iron biding satn 36% Feel terrible could it be from the ferritin level

[@Lee-u1l9w]

I’m also have to have b12 injections

[@DaimonosUlv]

What is a normal range for serum iron (not Ferritin) for an adult in μmol/L?

[@hatimbearingwala7189]

Please help Is ferritin level of 42 considered low?

[@lisamarie5781]

My recent test has shown ferratin level 14ug/l for the last nine months previously 11. I have been taking suppliments continuously and my doctor continues to recommend supplimented iron? I am exhausted and pretty much falling apart. What do you suggest?

[@DrWholeness]

Check out www.bloodvitality.com. What is your iron saturation? You need something other than just more iron.

[@lisamarie5781]

Thank you for taking the time to respond Dr Matt, iron is 14 umol/l transferrin 2.2 and transferrin sat 25%. I will definitely check out your link.

[@dsambuddha]

My Serum iron is 221 but Ferritin is 52 . Kindly tell me what's here ? Is everything fine ?

[@BrianMillsSkills]

Ever figure it out. My iron is 240+ and Ferritin is in the 20's.

[@missmerbella]

Hi Dr. Angove, I have low ferritin (36 ng/mL), total iron (182 mcg/dL), iron binding capacity (285 mcg/dL) and % saturation (64%). In what order would you prioritize deducing the cause? Should we, for example, focus on ruling out B12 deficiency first?

[@DrWholeness]

Definitely would check B12, D and A.

[@missmerbella]

@@DrWholeness D is 32 ng/mL but has been even lower in the past. Need to check B12 and A. Thank you for your response. Do you work with patients virtually by any chance?

[@jackiedoble4438]

Hi Dr Matt! I have normal Iron Serum, high iron saturation, low ferritin and low transferrin! Ferritin has been plummeting gradually over the past two years. This is the first time I have tested anything else. Am confused as to whether to supplement or not. My B12 is good and am not supplementing any hormones (other than Thyroid - with NDT) Have no know liver or kidney issues (blood tests normal). Any ideas? Much appreciated!

[@DrWholeness]

You likely need some cofactors if iron saturation is high and ferritin is low. www.bloodvitality.com

[@jackiedoble4438]

@@DrWholeness Thanks! it doesn't look like you ship abroad (I am in France). What should I look for in a product (it doesn't say cofactor in your blood vitality product).

[@pattytyndall1021]

I am also struggling with low ferritin (58) with high saturation (76%). Doctor won’t do phlebotomy unless ferritin is above 50. What can I do to help bring saturation levels down, if possible? I have the C282Y gene mutation. Thank you!

[@pattytyndall1021]

FYI…I just had a phlebotomy in the past 2 weeks, so the ferritin is likely lower than 58 now.

[@steveosuckmyass]

@@pattytyndall1021how did you go patty I too have high serum iron 43, saturation 91% and ferritin 85. Have no idea what this means?

[@Skybluewindcool]

Low Ferritin or low Iron means low rbc count on cbc or what ?

[@DrWholeness]

It can but not always, that is why many people who are iron deficient and have all the symptoms get overlooked because their CBC is normal.

[@beccaseward]

Dr. Angove, would you recommend iron supplements for these results? Ferritin - 9 Iron, total - 48 Iron Binding capacity - 376 Saturation - 13

[@DrWholeness]

Those numbers make you look like a prime candidate. Blood Vitality is my go to! drwholeness.myshopify.com/products/blood-vitality-1

[@beccaseward]

@@DrWholeness thank you for the feedback!

[@carl8568]

Any thoughts on low ferritin, say under 45 ng/mL, and higher serum iron & transferrin saturation, over 70%? I feel like I had a lot more energy and strength when my ferritin was high, above 200. Running is really quite a struggle. I eat mostly vegetarian and I have been struggling with low stomach acid/HCl for some time now and was exposed to toxic black mould last year. I had my B12 checked recently and I was on the lower end of the range 310 pmol/L (200-700).

[@binathere2574]

You are probably B12 deficient. You need an Active B12 test for an accurate reading of B12. You can still be B12 deficient at your level. Neurological symptoms are a clear sign of deficiency. Have you checked your intrinsic factor status? Thiamine B1 HCL for low HCL stomach acid. ..

[@carl8568]

@@binathere2574 Doubt it. Had two full one milliliter injections of B12 recently.

[@Total_Body_Fitness_USA]

Your iron saturation is way too high. Mine was at 76% with a ferritin of 152 (was 66 a few months ago), and I felt like crap. As a matter of fact I had a stroke last year which I am now convinced was due to the iron saturation after me researching it. Donate some blood and get your iron saturation down to around 35%. Also check to see if you have the C282Y or H63D SNP in your DNA. If so, then donating blood to keep your iron sat in the 30% range is best. BTW, I've trained in functional medicine for nearly 3 decades and all we look at is ferritin. If ferritin is okay or slightly elevated, no big deal. I need to burn my textbooks regarding that because that is wrong, PERIOD! If iron sat is elevated, then you are in iron overload and most likely have a genetic SNP for hemochromatosis, especially if your ferritin is within the normal range.

[@carl8568]

@@Total_Body_Fitness_USA Nah, poor advice man. I definitely won't be giving blood, been there done that.. I've had plenty of venesections, more than 10. Iron saturation can change HOUR TO HOUR. This is certainly not the case with ferritin. I have had on different blood tests ferritin 60 *sat 90%,* ferritin 80 sat 15%, ferritin 400 sat 70%. Your stroke was from something else, going by your comment you have had heavy metal poisoning.

[@Truerealism747]

@@Total_Body_Fitness_USA my transferin saturation 47.8 fybromyalgia symptoms 6 years nightmare found out I have àspergers heds which is linked? Will this transferin level cause this?

[@shanaschroeder8285]

Great video! My Dr doesn’t care that I have low Ferritin(8). I do because I feel so sleepy. I’m always looking for answers. Could it be because I have been on Nexium/Prilosec for years and years and years?

[@DrWholeness]

So sorry to hear that! Yes the acid blockers will do it. Have your tried Blood Vitality www.optimizeiron.com to get your levels up? Also, you can heal your stomach to overcome the gastritis or gerd. All the best, let us know how you do.

[@CloD44]

Take Zypan by standard process to balance stomach PH levels for better nutrients absorption.

[@blancacasillas8226]

Hi Dr Matt! Feeling tired, lightheaded and low BP 98/89 all the time. Doctors tell me my BP is fine and that my anemia isn’t bad for needing IV therapy because of my Ferritin & Hemoglobin are fine. I did have depression a few months ago due to left ear inflammation and all the symptoms that came with this ear issues (still are but no inflection) so maybe that could have caused the anemia back in January. I am 43yr female, 135lb, low irregular periods since on the IUD due to endometriosis. Doctors keep telling me since March to continue with OTC 45mg Ferrous Sulfate slow flow but no improvement. Still feel super tired , lightheaded and low BP - Please help 🙏 Here are my labs: Transferrin 158 Transferrin Percent 47 Total Iron Binding Capacity 221 Iron Serum Plasma 105 Unsat. Iron Binding Capacity 116 Hemoglobin 15 Hematocrit 44.1 Platelet Count 225 Immature Platelet Fraction 5.4 Vitamin B12- 966 Please I hope you have the time to respond and see what you suggest… THANK YOU!

[@HorsesRLife25]

My serum iron is high and ferritin is normal but on the lower end. I watched your video and all my other labs or normal so I don't believe it could be anything else. I don't take any supplements. I know my mother had the HFE gene. Do you think the next best step would be getting gene testing done myself? Or repeating lab work? I'm still waiting to hear from my doctor but I heard these lab results could also represent early hemachromatosis because I am only 30. I do have fatigue, headaches, and frequent joint pain.

[@DrWholeness]

Is iron saturation high as well?

[@HorsesRLife25]

yes- 69%

[@DrWholeness]

Look at lactoferrin, your meds, vitamin A, copper, ceruloplasmin, protein intake, zinc, vitamin D/K2 at a minimum.

[@beginnerssamayal8319]

After supplementing my ferritin level went up from 10 to 24 Ng/ml but serum iron is 124 .whether I continue supplement or stop

[@DrWholeness]

iron saturation is what I would be looking at here, if under 60% continueing with iron supplementation is likely a good idea.

[@beginnerssamayal8319]

@@DrWholeness iron saturation Isis 35./. Sir

[@luce7180]

My iron was normal and my hemoglobin too. The only abnormal result was my ferritin level which was 5. My doctor didn't say anything. He didn't prescribed anything either. What should i do?

[@DrWholeness]

If you hav iron deficiency symptoms consider getting your ferritin levels up and seeing how you feel. 5 is pretty low. Www.optimizeiron.com

[@luce7180]

@@DrWholeness when is the best time to take this and how long after starting it i will start to feel better?

[@michelleparker8813]

Hello there I’m the opposite of this

[@DrWholeness]

Ferritin is high and saturation is low?

[@molnark470]

Isn’t it ahemokromatozis?

[@hafsasheikh5271]

I had severe heart palpitations pulse around 130-150 beats for hours then my ferritin was 10 but hb 12 I started supplementing with iron ...and I'm relieved what's your opinion doctor

[@DrWholeness]

Did you get your ferritin up?

[@hafsasheikh5271]

@@DrWholeness yes within 1 month I got up to 20 from 10

[@veekay9977]

hafsa, which iron you took?

[@itsagoodday2165]

I had a positive ANA after i had c diff and i took prednisone and my joints were attacked. Went to RA, he said positive Ana does not mean anything. Have had Ferrintin at 6 and normal hemoglobin. What am i missing here?

[@DrWholeness]

It is true a positive ANA doesn't mean autoimmuntiy unless you have symptoms to back it or other specific antibodies. Low ferritin, normal hemoglobin would be iron deficiency without anemia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5ethGNsn7h1gas

[@DrWholeness]

Blood Vitality can help. drwholeness.myshopify.com/products/blood-vitality-1

[@pamusaikrishna375]

How much Prednisone you took ?

[@itsagoodday2165]

@@pamusaikrishna375 I was on 60 mg per day then had to wean off of it reducing each day but ER doc said to cont taking it at the same dose due to bad reaction then just stop. I asked him five times if he was sure since it is never recommended to cold turkey stop taking it but he said yes that’s what he wants for me.

[@manuelazuniga983]

I have a ferritin of 13... Is that low? The lower value is 6 in the lab i used 😮

[@DrWholeness]

Generally a ferritin of 13 would be low. For most ideal is around 70. www.bloodvitality.com

[@nbass5773]

My total iron is 335… my TIBC Is normal at 347… my saturation is 97% and I have very low ferritin that’s at 12.2 My question is I took my iron supplement and a organ complex three hours before the test. Could that cause the total iron and saturation to be so high ? Or should I be worried ? I won’t hear from my doctor for three weeks he’s on vacation

[@DrWholeness]

100%

[@nbass5773]

@@DrWholeness thank you! His nurse said it wouldn’t affect it at all so I went ahead with the test but common sense says of course it would !

[@brandonyoung4910]

My iron total is 163 Iron binding capacity 282 Ferritin 92 Saturation is 58. I’m concerned with the saturation.

[@jackrogers8633]

Donate blood once or twice, lower iron intake from foods. Then check again. Should sort it out.

[@brandonyoung4910]

yep. pretty straight foreword

[@luce7180]

I get headaches and sore scalp, could it be related?

[@DrWholeness]

Highly likely

[@paulmullin1295]

Hey Dr. I have Hemochromatosis. But my latest result is saturation Ferritin is 89% my ferritin is low at 109. How is this possible. Shouldn't it be a high ferrin before the saturation is high at 89% Thanks

[@DrWholeness]

Iron saturation high with TIBC low is what i usually see in otherwise healthy individuals with hemochromatosis or in those who are very diligent with blood donation

[@alfredopampanga9356]

B1 2 deficiency,, pernicious anemia , is not a hemolytic anemia

[@DrWholeness]

Many do not realize that it actually can be a cause of red blood cell hemolysis. Thanks 🙏🏼 for watching 🙌🏼

[@alfredopampanga9356]

@@DrWholeness Thanks I think you’re just making it up as you go along

[@travissingh6090]

Can i have an elevated hemoglobin level of 17.2 and have low blood pressure?

[@DrWholeness]

Yes

[@lindaponzetto8096]

June 2022, iron infusion, 2 mega doses. End of April 2023, Hemoglobin fine, iron fine, Ferritin so low I need another infusion this coming week. Bariatric surgery 6/23/2004. Still maintain 128lb weight loss after almost 19 years. Never had a colonoscopy but no need. No one in my family ever had colon cancer, I don’t have any dark stools or any bleeding. Taking HRT since last June. Hmm. Can HRT lower my Ferritin? I am 58 yrs old. Perfect health and blood work is great except for Ferritin and had every heart test and scored way above others my age my doctor said. Any ideas?

[@DrWholeness]

Yes, I have seen multiple bariatric patients with low iron, b12, zinc. Was you B12 good? We use Blood vitality to keep levels sufficient. drwholeness.myshopify.com/products/blood-vitality-1

[@jksjksjks3339]

Check for lead, cadmium and mercury toxicity

[@DrWholeness]

@@jksjksjks3339 definitely

[@cmnr8487]

My husband has to take testoserone injections, this caused high hematocrit levels. So the dr had him do blood donations, this tanked his ferritin levels to 12, barely made his hematocrit in normal range. After 10 years of that, he went off the testosterone and within a couple of months, all levels went to normal. Of course he had basically no testosterone, and felt like crap. Then he found a dr that does pellet inserts for the testosterone , but now having same results. Feritin levels tanked within a couple months of the pellet insert, hematocrit too high. We have no way to fix this, he has seen 4 different hematologists within 12 years. So the short answer is YES HRT causes it, and there is no way to fix it, and no dr has been able to help, most of them don't understand any of it.

[@Truerealism747]

Does stress effect transferin

[@DrWholeness]

For sure

[@Truerealism747]

@@DrWholeness aomit.could.makenit.go.up I have àspergers iron seams to be linked

[@christad3411]

Thank you for the great video. My 20 yr old daughter has high levels of iron (over 190s after supplementation) and low ferritin (20 range - doesn’t change after supplementation). I gave her 1 hemochromatosis Gene. She is an track athlete and has not been able to compete for past 6 months due to continued ankle issues on both feet (stress fracture on one and multiple sprains on other). Could there be any connection? As a side note, she also went gluten free about 6 months ago. Can there be a connection?

[@christad3411]

Ps: I have been told I have high lead and Mercury levels

[@DrWholeness]

@@christad3411 definitely would look into metal issues for her and potentially other food intolerance or digestive/Flora balance support. Zinc, copper, vitamin A, D, B12, thiamine.

[@cokefishtail]

I.see blood vitality has lots of b vitamins I cry alot when supplement with b vitamins.. could you explain that to me? My ferritin 10 other iron in range . Im.trying to get rid of fatigue.

[@DrWholeness]

Some people do have emotional changes related to B vitamins but we haven't seen that with Blood Vitality, likely because the levels are pretty low in Blood Vitality and are purely supportive.

[@cokefishtail]

@@DrWholeness my iron 72, binding capacity 37, saturation 19 ferritin 14.. all normal range but feel like heck. Myndaughter 16 her ferritin 14 also so many symptoms...

[@DrWholeness]

@@cokefishtail wow, ya your home energy is going to go up big time once your iron is rectified 🙌🏼

[@cokefishtail]

@Dr. Matt Angove honestly I don't think.ever I've had ferritin above 20 anytime I get tested always undrr.. I'm talking like 20 years. No dr ever has Saud hey you need to get ferritin up moat think it's ok be abuse rest of iron in so called range. I have so many issuses 100 symptoms. Now my daughter same thing...

[@cokefishtail]

@@DrWholeness I just want to feel normal.for once

[@katiewhitney8499]

Hi Dr Matt. I have been supplementing with iron. I started with a ferritin of 20 and took iron on and off and got it to 34. I started a prenatal with iron that was plant based and after two periods started to feel bad again so I stopped that iron because I feel my ferritin dropped again after those. For two months I have been taking 65mg in the am and 18mg at bedtime. My ferritin is now 47 iron is 162, saturation is 49%. Tibc is 328 uibc is 166 so I feel everything is moving in the right direction even starting to feel better. My last labs were ferritin 34, saturation 26. My only concern is if I should start taking less iron now that it is a bit high? I'm happy now though because my ferritin is increasing. Any thoughts?

[@DrWholeness]

I generally keep patients elemental iron at 45mg of iron a day of supplemental iron to minimize excess iron that could potentially affect gut integrity and promote excess oxidation. This is also why I am such a promoter of using a comprehensive formula to support and blood building like Blood Vitality, so you can use less total iron and get more efficient results. drwholeness.myshopify.com/collections/nutritional-supplements/products/blood-vitality-1

[@katiewhitney8499]

@@DrWholeness thank you so much I will check it out. Don't want to stop yet because I have heavy cycles 🙂

[@samshields1516]

Is 71% saturation dangerous

[@DrWholeness]

Suggests there is a imbalance and depends if that is an acute or chronic state.

[@Seeker2400]

@@DrWholenesscan iron saturation be high due to vitamin c supplementation?

[@DrWholeness]

@@Seeker2400 extremely unlikely.

[@rebecagaldon2956]

@@Seeker2400mine went up a lot while I was supplementing with VIT. C , I reduced supplementation and it went down considerably.

[@minalgur]

hi doctor I am 4 months pregnant. I am having iron, folic acid, vit b12, calcium tablets since a week. my vit b12 is 607 pg/ml,iron is 222 pg/ml,haemoglobin is 7.4 g/dl . Ferritin is 368.3 .can u plz help me how should I improve my haemoglobin levels.

[@DrWholeness]

This doesn't look like an iron issue given your ferritin of 368. I would keep searching for underlying inflammatory and nutrient deficiencies. Do you have blood work when not pregnant looking at hemoglobin.

[@minalgur]

@@DrWholeness yes thalassemia, thyroid and fasting sugar was done.those came out to be negative. Haemoglobin at that time was 8.4. RBC morphology says peripheral smear shows mild to moderate microcytosis with moderate hypochromia. Moderate anisopoikilocytosis also seen with presence of tear drop qnd pencil cells. Normoblast cells not seen. Features suggestive of microlytic hypochromic anaemia within normal limits.

[@veekay9977]

@@minalgur what treatment protocol did your doc advice?

[@minalgur]

@@veekay9977 he has adviced blood transfusion

[@veekay9977]

@@minalgur what reason did the doctor give for low Hb?

[@joefarrow1599]

Trans people often take oestrogen too 👍

[@steveandrade8206]

What about normal Iron and high Ferritin levels?