A serum ferritin test value higher than the reference value is usually caused by three reasons: increased iron stores, increased ferritin synthesis and increased ferritin release from tissues.
1. Increased iron stores: When a patient has secondary iron overload or primary hemochromatosis, this may lead to increased iron stores. In addition, excessive blood transfusions over a short period of time, and iron therapy (ferrous succinate) that is not administered according to appropriate standards may also increase the patient’s serum ferritin levels over a short period of time.
2. Increased synthesis of ferritin: When a patient suffers from malignant tumor problems such as liver cancer or lung cancer, the malignant tumor cells secrete ferritin, so this can cause an increase in serum ferritin levels in the patient’s blood.
3. Increased release of ferritin in tissues: when patients have acute or chronic hepatitis or other liver diseases, as well as acute myocardial infarction in the early stage of the problem, it will also increase the serum ferritin content in the blood of the patient.
In addition, long-term chronic infections and certain rheumatologic and immunologic diseases can also cause elevated serum ferritin.
Once there is a significant increase in serum ferritin level, you should contact your doctor in time to complete the relevant examinations to determine the specific cause of the disease and receive standardized treatment.