High ferritin

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Its content is of great reference value for the detection of certain diseases. For example, during pregnancy, low ferritin levels indicate that the pregnant woman is anemic. On the contrary, if the ferritin level is high, you should be careful. High ferritin is closely related to serious diseases such as liver damage and liver cancer. You need to undergo a comprehensive examination as soon as possible to understand the condition of your body.

Is high ferritin and abnormal liver function cancer?

Ferritin is one of the important indicators for determining liver cancer and is generally used in conjunction with alpha-fetoprotein testing. If the alpha-fetoprotein test value is greater than the normal value of alpha-fetoprotein, that is, greater than 400 units/L, it means that there is a high probability of liver cancer. If the ferritin level is high and the liver function is abnormal, liver cancer may be considered. If you are a hepatitis B patient, you must receive treatment as soon as possible because the high ferritin level is a sign of worsening disease.

High ferritin levels do not necessarily indicate cancer, as there is more than one reason for elevated serum ferritin levels. Elevated ferritin may be a sign of liver problems, usually acute or chronic hepatitis, and in severe cases it may be liver cancer. In addition to these, other factors that may cause elevated ferritin include: primary hemochromatosis, repeated blood transfusions, inappropriate iron therapy, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, pancreatic tumor, inflammation and other diseases, etc. These can all cause high ferritin levels. Therefore, high ferritin levels are not necessarily cancer. You need to go to the hospital for examination for the specific situation.

Causes of high ferritin levels

Liver function tests must be performed on an empty stomach, and the fasting time is generally 8-12 hours. This is especially true for those who are undergoing liver function tests for the first time.

Patients with liver disease are advised to abstain from alcohol the day before a blood test. This is because the values ​​of many items in liver function tests are related to diet. For example, drinking alcohol can easily increase the values ​​of certain serum enzymes, and eating greasy foods can increase blood lipids. Therefore, patients with liver disease must pay attention to fasting when undergoing examinations to ensure a scientific diagnosis.

It is best not to eat too greasy or spicy food the night before the liver function test, as such food can significantly increase the blood lipid test. Therefore, it is best to refrain from eating high-fat foods 10 hours before blood drawing.

If you have a cold before a liver function test, it is best to wait 7 days after the cold is cured before having the test, because the cold may affect the liver function test results.

It is advisable to eat some light food before the test; it is best not to eat foods rich in carotene and lutein, as they may make the serum yellow and affect the jaundice index measurement results.

It is best not to drink alcohol before the test; avoid taking certain medications because they may affect the accuracy of liver function tests.

Liver function test is an important test to measure whether there is liver cell necrosis or inflammation in the liver. If you are infected with hepatitis B, you must not neglect regular check-ups.