1. Community
  2. Blood & Immune System
  3. Haemochromatosis

Link between moderate alcohol consumption and ferritin rise

Posted , 6 users are following.

Katy8103
Katy8103

Hi all I've posted on here a few times before.

I was diagnosed with HH 7 months ago. Since then I have been having fortnightly venesections. My ferritin started at 765 and after only 2 vs dropped to 400.

However since then it has stagnated. Gone down a bit, up a bit, down a bit and it's now at 519.

I was frustrated with it back in August so started a diary and tracked my ferritin. I noticed that there have been three occasions where I have drank more than usual including a wedding, Christmas do and birthday. When I say drank more than usual I'm talking maybe 3 sml glasses of wine. I didn't even feel drunk but the next day I was vomiting quite violently (Tmi sorry). This was on two occasions. Then on all 3 occasions my ferritin has shot up the week after.

I have now completely stopped drinking alcohol. I had my LFTs done last which came back normal so I'm wondering what is causing the ferritin rise. Could my liver be inflamed even though LFT normal? I have also been suffering with Gastritis in last two weeks so wondering if the ferritin rise could be this?

Any advice appreciated.

Katy

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Mrs._Z
    Mrs._Z Katy8103

    Posted

    I haven't heard of anyone that can give difinitive answers as why the ferratin level can go up, but these are my thoughts.  I can't imagine that just a few alcoholic beverages could cause the symptoms you've suggested.  The symptoms could be from the hemochromatosis.  The only thing that has worked for me since being diagnosed in Oct.starting at 969 and am now at 146, I believe it's because of the low iron intake in my diet.  I've even had glasses of red wine (which includes tannins which inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron). I have had NO red meat since being diagnosed and watch the iron content of everything I eat. Remember that we are all different, so what works for one may not work for another. Good luck!
    • Katy8103
      Katy8103 Mrs._Z

      Posted

      Thanks for your response Mrs Z. Great to hear how quickly your ferritin dropped. You must be eased smile

      Aside from the three occasions when I have drank alcohol I have also been watching what I've been eating and drinking so I struggle to believe that I am loading iron that quickly especially having a pint of blood removed every fortnight.

      A venesection removes about many times more iron than the iron in an average steak portion. I'm convinced there's a link between alcohol consumption and my ferritin spiking just can't prove it.

      I guess the answer is stay away from alcohol which is what I plan to do from now on.

  • PaulRL70
    PaulRL70 Katy8103

    Posted

    Ferritin is a strange one - Like you I have HH - Mine seems to shoot up if I have a glass of pure orange  
  • sheryl37154
    sheryl37154 Katy8103

    Posted

    From my experience with a lot of people, fatty liver is the culprit.  HH can cause a fatty liver, but alcohol and sugar/starches can also cause fatty liver.  So both together is asking for trouble.  Fatty liver does not show up in a blood test (LFT), but does in a scan.

    So it is possible that a few extra glasses of wine can cause a problem with ferritin levels if you already have a fatty liver.  Gastro can also as it causes inflammation, and inflammation causes a spike in ferritin iron - usually temporary, reduces when inflammation goes.

    Orange juice is not beneficial to us, it increases the uptake of iron.  Not only that, it is full of sugar, thus doubly affecting ferritin levels.  Eat a whole orange instead.

    Giving up alcohol until you are deironed (<30) is a good idea.  then you can have a small glass of good red with your dinner to help reduce the uptake of iron in your meal.  one is beneficial, two are getting into dangerous territory.  so make it a good one!

      is="" a="" good="" idea.=""  then="" you="" can="" have="" a="" small="" glass="" of="" good="" red="" with="" your="" dinner="" to="" help="" reduce="" the="" uptake="" of="" iron="" in="" your="" meal.=""  one="" is="" beneficial,="" two="" are="" getting="" into="" dangerous="" territory.=""  so="" make="" it="" a="" good="" one!="">

     >

  • Mr_L
    Mr_L Katy8103

    Posted

    Hi Katy.

    I've done a lot of reading on HH and in theory alcohol shouldn't affect your ferritin level, apart from the tiny influence of tannin in red wine reducing the extent of iron absorption and I'm purely guessing that a pint of Guinness a day would probably increase your iron!

    I almost totally stopped drinking alcohol when I was diagnosed and started venesections.  However, when I had the results of a Fibroscan recently saying my liver was fine I started drinking again to a moderate level (similar amounts to what you mention) and saw no jump up in my ferritin level. 

    It seems lots of people (including me) have their ferritin level stagnate or increase especially around the 400s-500s.  Maybe that's when the year's of stored iron in our livers start being released into our blood stream..maybe unevenly...but I'm really guessing again.

    But again from what I've read your Gastritis could in theory cause a rise. Ferritin can rise if there's significant inflamation in your body.  This could be significant inflamation anywhere not necessarily your liver. My LFT was fine when I was diagnosed with a ferritin level over 1000.  However, I don't think you should worry because I reckon it's just the usual ups and downs which so many people seem to experience.

    It's very tempting isn't it to analyse the changes after each venesection and I've often theorised with the venesection nurses but they generally don't understand HH very well.  I've been asked by one do I know if I inherrited it from my mum or my dad.  And another thought it was known as the 'Celtic curse' as it meant any Irish people affected by HH couldn't drink Guinness anymore?!  Therefore I think asking the nurses or forums like this isn't going to give you the definitive answer, so if you're really concerned there is no substitute for gaining a proper medical opinion from your consultant.

    Best wishes

    Simon

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.