High Ferritin - Low Testosterone (help Please)

[Iron Man]

Hi everyone,

After a while trying to sort all this out, I am back again... I have just had my blood test results come in. My Doctor is saying that I am hypertrigglyceridaemia and have borderline low testosterone.

I weight lift, eat well, use supplements and am in good condition. I am in my early 40's.

My Ferritin is going up and up and up on each blood test, my cholesterol has gone down from 8.8 to 6.7. My ferritin has risen a lot on the past three blood tests (242 - 287 - 367).

Here are my recent blood test results;

TSH - 0.5 mIU/L ( Reference range - 0.3 - 3.5 )
Free T4 - 14.9 pmol/L ( Reference range - 9.0 - 19.0 )

Prolactin - 110 mIU/L ( Reference range - less than 500 )

Total PSA - 0.29 ug/L ( Reference range - 0.25 - 2.2 )

Cortisol - 267 nmol ( Reference range - 100 - 535 )

Chemistry (serum)

Sodium - 141 mmol/L ( Reference range - 135 - 145 )
Potassium - 4.7 mmol/L ( Reference range - 3.5 - 5.5 )
Chloride - 107 mmol/L ( Reference range - 135 - 145 )
Bicarbonate - 21 mmol/L ( Reference range - 20 - 32 )
Anion Gap - 13 mmol/L ( Reference range - 5 - 15 )

Ca (corr) - 2.34 mmol/L ( Reference range - 2.10 - 2.55 )
Phosphate - 1.1 mmol/L ( Reference range - 0.8 - 1.5 )

Urea - 5.6 mmol/L ( Reference range - 3.0 - 8.0 )
Urate - 0.40 mmol/L ( Reference range - 0.20 - 0.50 )
Creatinine - 73 umol/L ( Reference range - 60 - 110 )
eGFR - >90 ( Reference Range - >59 )

Fast Glucose - 5.6 mmol/L ( Reference range - 3.6 - 6.0 )
Random Glucose - 4.7 mmol/L ( Reference range - 3.6 – 7.7 )

Total Protein - 74 g/L ( Reference Range - 66 - 83 )
Albumin - 47 gL ( Reference Range - 39 - 50 )
Globulin - 27 g/L ( Reference Range - 20 - 39 )
T Bilirubin - 12 umol/L ( Reference range - 4 - 20 )
ALP - 60 U/L ( Reference Range - 35 - 110 )
AST - 40 U/L ( Reference Range - 10 - 40 )
ALT - 66 U/L ( Reference Range - 5 - 40 )
GGT - 33 U/L ( Reference Range - 5 - 40 )
LDH - 193 U/L ( Reference Range - 120 - 250 )

Cholesterol - 6.7 mmol/L ( Reference range - 3.9 - 5.5 )

Haemolysis Index - 11 ( Reference Range - 0 - 40 )


Androgens

Testosterone - 8.5 nmol/L ( Reference Range - 11.0 - 40.0 )

Anaemia Profile

Iron - 25 umol/L ( Reference Range - 5 - 30 )
Transferrin – 2.3 g/L ( Reference Range – 1.9- 3.1 )
TIBC - 57 umol/L ( Reference Range - 45 - 72 )
Saturation - 44% ( Reference Range - 20 - 55 )
Ferritin - 367 ug/L ( Reference Range - 30 - 300 )


My Doctor has suggest I see an EndoChrinologist, I am hoping to avoid this if possible.

What do you think?

Thanks so much!

 

[Daimyo]

Donate some blood, eat less meat...

 

[ecstatichamster]

a cup of coffee within an hour after a red meat meal prevents absorption of most of the iron...

 

[baggywrinkle]

Turmeric helps reduce iron

 

[Iron Man]

Thanks!
I don't drink and I do not smoke. I plan to donate some blood ASAP (never done this before). I already take curcumin and resveratrol with each dinner meal and have done so for a number of years. This combo fixed my skin inflammation issues.
I have probably 4 cups of coffee each day.
Is this all coming back to my liver?

 

[Iron Man]

My Doc ( a nice guy ), but he did not even look at the ferritin or my ALT. I had my results, left the Surgery and as I was sitting in the car I took a look. When I saw my ferritin at 367, I flipped out and thought "What the??" I ended up going back into see the Doc and he still was not that phased by it. All he said is that it was an inflammation marker. Is it me just being paranoid? When I see numbers consecutively going up like this, I tend to think there is a problem... My Doc has referred me on to an Endocrinologist, to get me checked over. My testosterone is low (it was 7.6, 9 and now the latest is 8.5). I am below the reference range of 11 and supplemental synthetic testosterone is on the discussion table.

How is this for being half backed though... When I went back into the see the Doc about my concerns with the ferritin levels, he asked if he had previously ran an ultrasound on my liver. I said, no. He then said that this is something the Endocrinologist can do. The Doc said briefly that I may have a fatty liver.

I have tried high doses of milk thistle, choline and TUDCA to help my liver and ferritin. So far, nothing... It is still climbing. I have booked myself into the Red Cross to donate blood next week and am prepared to go a number of times to get this under control.

It is hard trying to work this out. What I have found so far is that high ferritin and low testosterone seem to go hand in hand. Will donating blood be enough to fix all this though? My liver seems to have an issue by the looks of all this.

Just not sure what to do...

I also came across this from the Australian Red Cross - http://haemochromatosis.org.au/word...13/06/haemochromatosis_YQA_2013webversion.pdf

Thanks...

 

[Stilgar]

I would also consider your intake of vitamin a, b vitamins, calcium and vitamin e.

The vitamin A for steroid synthesis, for testosterone, and for regulation of iron. B vitamins for appropriate iron regulation and energy metabolism (which ones may be individual). Calcium for iron chelating effects on diet sources and for better energy metabolism. Vitamin E for its protection against iron related damage and to enhance anti-estrogenic factors.

Doses are important.

 

[Iron Man]

Thanks Stilgar.

I take all these and have for a number of years. 5,000 IU of Vitamin D, 5,000 IU of Vitamin A, Tocomin, 180mg of K2, Niacinimide, Curcumin, Resveratrol etc.

I was taking high dose of Vitamin C each night on an empty stomach before bed, but since have stopped this.

I have heard of Calcium, and taking green tea extract.

Would love to know what doses though and any other ideas.

I am going to donate blood for the first time next week and plan to donate every 3 months (the maximum the Red Cross allows).

Thanks,

 

[supernature]

I was taking high dose of Vitamin C each night on an empty stomach before bed, but since have stopped this.

That could causes the rising of ferritin levels i guess.

I am going to donate blood for the first time next week and plan to donate every 3 months (the maximum the Red Cross allows).

The treatment for all kinds of gene expressions in Hemochromatosis patients consist of regular phlebotomy, (which you probably dont have with such ferritin values), only the drawings are more frequent in them.

 

[ecstatichamster]

Thanks!
I don't drink and I do not smoke. I plan to donate some blood ASAP (never done this before). I already take curcumin and resveratrol with each dinner meal and have done so for a number of years. This combo fixed my skin inflammation issues.
I have probably 4 cups of coffee each day.
Is this all coming back to my liver?

is there a reason for the resveratrol? There are a ton of reasons to avoid this...

 

[Iron Man]

Thanks so much. Are there any proven supplements shown to lower iron?

I take resveratrol and curcumin to help keep inflammation at bay. Prior to me taking this, I used to have chronic dandruff and rosacia. Since taking these two supplements, I have not had any issues. No doubt that these work in my situation.

 

[Iron Man]

It looks like my biggest issue is the ALT and the increasing ferritin. It seems that there is a problem with my liver. Any ideas on what is going on?

Thanks,

 

[goodandevil]

Resveratrol = no good. Throid tests? Maybe pregnenelone test to check cholesterol conversion, but your cholesterol is high. Search peat's articles for resveretrol. I think high hdl signifies gut problems, which would affect your liver, too.

 

[goodandevil]

Radiation works for skin problems too.

 

[Iron Man]

Thanks for your reply. I am not sure I agree about the resveratrol, but I will take a look anyway.

My Doc has very strongly advised against me taking pregnenalone. My cholesterol is not as bad as it was (previously 8.8). It came down a lot. I am still working to lower it some more.

 

[goodandevil]

Thanks for your reply. I am not sure I agree about the resveratrol, but I will take a look anyway.

My Doc has very strongly advised against me taking pregnenalone. My cholesterol is not as bad as it was (previously 8.8). It came down a lot. I am still working to lower it some more.

Not take it, test it. I think pregnenelone is the first cholesterol product in steroid synthesis. If it's low, cholesterol isn't converting, meaning thyroid or vitamin a is low, i believe. A lot of people here think mainstream doctors do a lot of good, i personally dont trust anything they say, except for emergency medicine, but they get a lot wrong, too. Good luck bro.

 

[Ella]

I would also consider your intake of vitamin a, b vitamins, calcium and vitamin e.

The vitamin A for steroid synthesis, for testosterone, and for regulation of iron. B vitamins for appropriate iron regulation and energy metabolism (which ones may be individual). Calcium for iron chelating effects on diet sources and for better energy metabolism. Vitamin E for its protection against iron related damage and to enhance anti-estrogenic factors.

Doses are important.

Your ferritin is not as high as some people's. I have a client whose ferrtin has come down from around 600 to 250. He started Dec 2015 on a protocol of milk with his food. Coffee with iron rich foods. Was not able to tolerate coffee and had to introduce many Peat friendly strategies. Has no problems now with coffee and loves it. Only had one blood draw. IP6 on empty stomach first thing in the morning and last thing at night. His integrative medicine drs had him convinced that it was mercury toxicity and wanted him to remove amalgams (wife is a biological dentist). Nice team, pilfering naive people's pockets. He did chelation therapy which was useless for the iron and left him mineral deficient. His result of 250 for ferritin was done begining Feb. He is simply stoked. I am thinking that you would probably not need to do the blood draws after seeing this. Still it is good for your longevity. His integrative med dr had he on a laundry list of supplements for being a poor methylator, even though he tested -ve for the SNPs. He got rid of all supplements including Betaine HCL. He was in fact overproducing HCL. Increased stomach acid increases iron absorption. Yep, I would stay away from all Drs.

A lot of people here think mainstream doctors do a lot of good, i personally dont trust anything they say, except for emergency medicine, but they get a lot wrong,

His cholesterol was really low and is now taking pregnelone. He will be having his hormones tested so it will be interesting to see his testosterone levels. He was in a pretty bad state so I am guessing he was suffering from low testosterone levels. FYI. He saw many drs and specialists and they all told him that they could not find anything wrong with him. The poor man was suicidal. He lost an uncle to suicide and a brother to suicide. He was convinced it was a genetic thing and he was doomed to go the same way. Low choleterol !!!! His doctors were rapt with his cholesterol results and had no inkling or make any connection that there may be serious underlying health issues. Go figure.

Best

 

[goodandevil]

Your ferritin is not as high as some people's. I have a client whose ferrtin has come down from around 600 to 250. He started Dec 2015 on a protocol of milk with his food. Coffee with iron rich foods. Was not able to tolerate coffee and had to introduce many Peat friendly strategies. Has no problems now with coffee and loves it. Only had one blood draw. IP6 on empty stomach first thing in the morning and last thing at night. His integrative medicine drs had him convinced that it was mercury toxicity and wanted him to remove amalgams (wife is a biological dentist). Nice team, pilfering naive people's pockets. He did chelation therapy which was useless for the iron and left him mineral deficient. His result of 250 for ferritin was done begining Feb. He is simply stoked. I am thinking that you would probably not need to do the blood draws after seeing this. Still it is good for your longevity. His integrative med dr had he on a laundry list of supplements for being a poor methylator, even though he tested -ve for the SNPs. He got rid of all supplements including Betaine HCL. He was in fact overproducing HCL. Increased stomach acid increases iron absorption. Yep, I would stay away from all Drs.

His cholesterol was really low and is now taking pregnelone. He will be having his hormones tested so it will be interesting to see his testosterone levels. He was in a pretty bad state so I am guessing he was suffering from low testosterone levels. FYI. He saw many drs and specialists and they all told him that they could not find anything wrong with him. The poor man was suicidal. He lost an uncle to suicide and a brother to suicide. He was convinced it was a genetic thing and he was doomed to go the same way. Low choleterol !!!! His doctors were rapt with his cholesterol results and had no inkling or make any connection that there may be serious underlying health issues. Go figure.

Best

My sympathies. My mom was diagnosed with brain cancer when i was 6, it took her 22 years for her brain to atrophy until she died. ******* doctors told her she had 6 months to live. I maybe could've cured her with what i know now. Anyways, i was sure i was going to die of brain cancer by the time i was 30. Ive detriorated and had many close calls, but thanms to ray and a woman that loves me, have turned it around. Doctors wonder why my blood pressure is so high every time i go tk tbeir office. They think you're a drug addict if you want to feel euphoric. **** em. Read "rockefeller medicine men" by university of california press if the power of their bull**** overwhelmes your good senses. I hope your husband feels better soon.

 

[Iron Man]

I married into a family where there is one retired senior nurse, one nurse, one physical therapist, one head surgeon and one doctor. That is tough... They mostly sneer at me when I talk about natural medicine or they laugh at me when I question something on my blood test results. Makes me angry to be quite honest. I have SO many medicos in the family and yet none are willing to sit and have an open minded conversation with you. This is why I come here to get answers.

Anyway, Getting back to my situation... My ALT is now a ways above the upper limit of the reference range and that is concerning. My ferritin just keeps leaping up and up. Last April, my ferritin was 242 and my ALT was 55. Now my ferritin is 367 and my ALT is 66.

I am donating blood and plan to donate 4 times this year. I want to get my ferritin back down to around 150.

Leading up to this last blood test where I was working on reducing my cholesterol and my ferritin, I was taking milk thistle, IP6 and choline. None of these seemed to work. I am wondering if I took the milk thistle wrong? I would tend to just take really high doses at lunch. With IP6, I would again take it in really high doses on an empty stomach.

I was taking 3g of vitamin C on an empty stomach before bed and now wonder if this was messing things up?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

 

[marikay]

Resveratrol is a stilbene, similar in structure to diethylstilbestrol, DES, the famously toxic-carcinogenic pharmaceutical. - Ray Peat

I'm afraid that if you are convinced that this poison is in any way good for you, you won't find this forum helpful.

And pregnenolone is one of the best substances on earth for good health. The early 40's is a good time to start taking it.

3 grams of vitamin C?

With respect, I'm guessing you haven't read any of Ray Peat's articles. Reading a few of them (whichever ones strike your interest) is the best idea I can come up with at this point.