High ferritin does not necessarily mean iron overload

Ferritin is also an acute-phase protein; metabolic, inflammatory and liver conditions may raise it without excess stored iron.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseaseMetabolic liver inflammation can raise ferritin without hereditary iron overload.
Chronic inflammatory conditionInflammatory signaling increases ferritin as an acute-phase reactant.
Hereditary hemochromatosisSome inherited iron-loading disorders raise saturation and ferritin together.
Alcohol-associated liver injuryAlcohol exposure can increase ferritin and alter liver enzymes.
Recent infection or tissue injuryFerritin can temporarily rise during illness.

Transferrin saturation helps distinguish iron loading

Persistently increased transferrin saturation makes iron-loading conditions more plausible than ferritin alone.

Chronic inflammatory conditionInflammatory signaling increases ferritin as an acute-phase reactant.
Hereditary hemochromatosisSome inherited iron-loading disorders raise saturation and ferritin together.
Alcohol-associated liver injuryAlcohol exposure can increase ferritin and alter liver enzymes.
Recent infection or tissue injuryFerritin can temporarily rise during illness.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseaseMetabolic liver inflammation can raise ferritin without hereditary iron overload.

Inflammation or infection can temporarily increase ferritin and reduce circulating iron availability.

Hereditary hemochromatosisSome inherited iron-loading disorders raise saturation and ferritin together.
Alcohol-associated liver injuryAlcohol exposure can increase ferritin and alter liver enzymes.
Recent infection or tissue injuryFerritin can temporarily rise during illness.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseaseMetabolic liver inflammation can raise ferritin without hereditary iron overload.
Chronic inflammatory conditionInflammatory signaling increases ferritin as an acute-phase reactant.

Interpretation depends on ferritin trend, saturation, liver tests, clinical context and other risk factors.

Alcohol-associated liver injuryAlcohol exposure can increase ferritin and alter liver enzymes.
Recent infection or tissue injuryFerritin can temporarily rise during illness.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseaseMetabolic liver inflammation can raise ferritin without hereditary iron overload.
Chronic inflammatory conditionInflammatory signaling increases ferritin as an acute-phase reactant.
Hereditary hemochromatosisSome inherited iron-loading disorders raise saturation and ferritin together.