Symptoms of high ferritin include stomach pain, chest pain or heart palpitations, joint pain, unexplained weakness and fatigue, states Healthline. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases iron when the body needs it.
The higher the level of ferritin, the higher the iron stores in the body. High ferritin levels can be due to hemachromatosis, when there is too much iron in the body. Other conditions that cause high ferritin include rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetesand Still's disease. Leukemia, lymphoma, iron poisoning and frequent blood transfusions can also cause high ferritin, according to Healthline.
Ferritin is an acute phase reactant, and its concentration increases in inflammation or infection, states the HIGHFERRITIN Web Server. Liver damage can cause high ferritin levels as liver is the main organ that stores ferritin. Very high ferritin levels can be seen in Still's disease, macrophage activation syndrome, and drug induced hypersensitivity, according to the HIGHFERRITIN Web Server.
Hemachromatosis is an excessive accumulation of iron in the body that can be genetic or acquired, states the HIGHFERRITIN Web Server. Excess iron inside the organs affects their functions and causes liver cirrhosis, heart disease, arthritis, impotence, diabetes, hypogonadism and dark skin pigmentation.
Hemosiderosis is a condition where there is an excessive accumulation of hemosiderin, according to the HIGHFERRITIN Web Server. Hemosiderin is an aggregate of ferritin. Hemosiderosis can be caused by frequent blood transfusion in patients with thalassemia or sickle cell anemia.
