Ferritin High: Inflammation vs Iron Overload and How To Tell the Difference

Ferritin stores iron but also rises with inflammation. Searches: "ferritin 400", "hemochromatosis testing", "high ferritin normal iron". The transferrin saturationhelps interpret a high ferritin.

Two common patterns

• Inflammation/metabolic pattern: ferritin high, transferrin saturation normal or low, CRP/ESR may be elevated; common in obesity, MASLD/NAFLD, infection, autoimmune disease.
• Iron overload pattern: ferritin high with transferrin saturation high; consider hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE), repeated transfusions, or other rare causes.

Educational next steps

1. Check iron panel (iron, TIBC/transferrin, saturation), CRP/ESR, and liver enzymes.
2. Lifestyle: weight management, reduce alcohol, manage diabetes and triglycerides.
3. Discuss HFE testing only when saturation is high or family history suggests risk.

Educational use only. Not medical advice.