How dangerous is high Ferritin/Iron? And how I lowered mine...

With suspiciously high Ferritin levels, I had to go down the Iron rabbit hole. I’ve come to learn just how important it is and am grateful my resident physician wanted the test. Ferritin levels over 100ng/ml are also associated with inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disorders. If there's one test that's an indicator of lifespan, this might be the one to get. Why are we fortifying our foods like cereal with Iron? The more you know, the better, so I hope this helps someone!

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Michael Merto is a Creative Director from the San Francisco Bay Area. He worked his way up the corporate filmmaking world with experience in commercial/promotional, music, live, wedding and short-form documentary films. There's nothing more that motivates him than the challenge of creating well-thought and touching films.

Michael's focus on YouTube is to have fun with Food, Film, Fasting and Friends! Be mine, subscribe and reach out=)

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#MertoNotes #ferritin #ironconspiracy #longevity #aging

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:25 What is Ferritin?
1:37 Why you should know your Ferritin levels
3:00 Tests to order after a high Ferritin result
3:24 How we get our Iron
4:38 Guessing what caused my sky high Ferritin levels
5:37 How to chelate excess Ferritin & Iron
8:34 Everything is everything tangent
9:20 Do you need to check your Ferritin levels now?
9:55 Conclusion

[michaelmerto]

Why are we trying to correct one problem in some (iron deficiency) by exacerbating another problem in others (iron overload) by fortifying our foods with Iron? Why do we continue to do this when studies have linked high iron to reduced longevity?

[harry]

Had my annual with my primary in May and my Ferritin came back at 866 from 433 a year before. Holy sh*t I am concerned. Primary doctor recommended that I go see a hematologist to see why this is so. Had the appointment set up for July. Okay that is a long time and wide time gap. So in between May and July I went and rejoin my gym after being fully vaccinated. Went and did HIIT and strength training four to five days a week in the mornings on an empty stomach. Did intermittent fasting and only eating two meals a day. Just ate tons of salads with roasted almonds, walnuts, and a protein of chicken, sardines or an egg. Also consumed turmeric with apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water in the mornings and had a medium just iced black coffee no sugar no cream/milk after workout. Then Ferritin test came back after seeing my hematologist and number came back at 54.7. That is right a 811 point drop. LOL.

[HotZTrain]

I drink a cup of green tea within an hour of having a meal with high iron. That help stop the absorption of iron by about 80% coffee is about 50%

[bgood]

Thank you!!! I'm going through this right now. This is super helpful as the doctor told me I have high ferritin levels but they don't tell you what to do/ not do while waiting to see a hematologist.

[rishaw]

You explain more information than what my physician provided. Video is very helpful especially for athletic people wondering why they can’t get through a work out . I’m only 27

[G-ex]

I found you when I was scrolling through youtube to see what they were talking about ferritin. You are a good and intelligent boy. Your presentation, besides being didactic, doesn't tire. Congratulations!

[stevezelev]

Mike,
Excellent presentation with some good humor thrown in! I recently listened to a Dr. Joe Mercola article and yes, most males have too much iron. This leads to a host of medical maladies like fatigue, heart disease, achy joints, etc. There is a Danish study that followed ferritin levels and the higher the ferritin the shorter the life expectancy, beyond that 100 level. So, getting my ferritin level under 100 is the goal (currently 190). I'm using self directed phlebotomy-drawing 30cc of blood from the big veins in my arms, once per week. BTW, 30cc is equal to 2 tablespoons.

[NumberNinjaDave]

Stellar video, bro. And, the humor is on point

[marshasimpson]

My 2 hemotoligists told me they don't pull blood from me unless it's up to 1000 & over. Mine was as high as 933 but now down in the 300's. No dr gives advice except one told me No more Iron Skillet!! I do know that high Ferritin is an Inflammation Marker.
I love you video style and appreciate your health interest & input..I go natural as possible for all health treatments now.

[Casey]

Micheal Well done! Love your presentation.

[taranz]

I have genetic haemochromatosis and was diagnosed 20 years ago with ferritin of 445. I have been bled regularly for 20 years and what is interesting is that 3 months ago they bled when they should have stopped over a year ago. I am now severely anaemic with a ferritin of 9. I believe it's medical misadventure as it's kind of ruined my life for the last 3 months with such severe anaemia and now am on very high iron pills. You are right, you do have to take control of your own health and I will need get allow a bleeding again until I have a ferritin of over 400 which take years to get back to. I am 48 year old female. Take note of your haemoglobin level before any phlebotomy as I raised this at my last bleeding that I was concerned it was too low (120) for this bleeding but they ignored this and bled me. Great video my friend 🙂

[JPthebeeman]

Great video Michael. Two February’s ago I was tested for a ton of things that my doctors simply classified as a “virus” of some kind.

Long story short, tons of bloodwork performed. Ferritin level of 1, 057, got that down to 375 over a few months with exercise & dietary changes.

I initially thought I had come down with the flu but a mild grade fever & a few other things persisted for 6 weeks then went away, yet to have another “flare up” 6 months later.

5 months ago I was diagnosed with “Still’s, ” which is kin to rheumatoid arthritis I am told.

I’ve had other flare ups since, much milder but have for the most part kept my ferritin levels in check.

This past (late) February I read Jason Fung’s Obesity Code & started IF.

I tell people who ask, I’m doing basically a Mediterranean keto diet with IF.

I’m down 45 lbs & feeling better but still having some issues apparently due to heat exposure or what my Dr. is calling “solar flare ups.”

The pursuit of optimum health & well being continues but I definitely feel like I’m on the right track.

Enjoy your channel btw! 👍🐝

[trevmac]

An excellent compilation and presentation outlaying the dangers of high ferritin levels. The links in the description are also a great touch and worth following up on. Thank-you!

[thomaslacy]

Fantastic video. Like many viewers I was diagnosed with HC and started phlebotomies (PBs). I was certain that my condition was exacerbated by heavy cast iron cooking, i.e., my ferritin dropped by 270 in one month prior to my first PB. When I asserted this, my doctors acted like I was a kook. 4 years later, my ferritin is under control (1-2 blood donations per year as a precaution). Do you have any links or references to the effect of cast iron cooking on ferritin levels that you can share? There is a 1984 thesis at Texas Tech and Lodge has a warning on their website.

Great job! Thank you.

[cardmonty]

I had a Ferritin of 4580 back in 2018. I was experiencing nights sweats, leg cramping & fatigue. I was sent to a Gastroenterologist where he subsequently performed a Liver Biopsy. Iron had infiltrated my Liver and caused scarring (Fibrosis). I started on phlebotomy treatments on a weekly basis, and have been weened down to every 3 months now 3 years later. I’m now experiencing heart failure. My BNP levels came back high, so it has affected my heart too. I’m in the process right now of having tests performed that will reveal how badly my heart has been effected. I’m 61 years old and have lost 150lbs from my ordeal. I went from 321lbs to 170lbs. I do employ IF & OMAD in my daily life, along with supplements of Milk Thistle & Choline/Inositol to help chelate the iron. My Ferritin levels are now 85, but who knows how long I have to live. My whole Mother’s side of the family died before age 64.

[the_CHAR_official]

Struggling with high levels too and I'm currently taking Ip6 and seeing how that goes. I also avoid vitamin C rich food and drink or eat a lot of dairy with meals that even contain a small amount of iron

[shanearnold]

Thank you so much for including a alternative to cast iron list, I was going to comment and ask that very thing if u didn’t mention it

[ahmadmemon]

IP6 and Curcumin are both quite effective. Wet cupping has worked really well for me as well.

[terrymoline]

I am so glad you figured out what the proublem was . My wife being from ark. Cooks in cast iron a lot now Iam worried. Your a big blessing to mankind Mike and made my Day to see your video .

[sanctifiedbytruth]

I tried doing “OMAD” which is One Meal A Day due to the highly stressful and long work day. I figured it would make my life easier. We’ll my already low ferritin which was a whooping 10! I’m convinced it bottomed out and I nearly landed myself in the ER 🤦‍♀️So I’m convinced fasting lowers it definitely. Now for me to go get a cast iron skillet. Thanks!