cjsays - when yer midwife or doc checks for iron levels they generally do 2 types of iron plus your haemaglobin.

Serum iron levels is basically the amount of iron circulating in your system.

Ferritin are your iron stores in your liver. However, ferritin can also be raised when you have an infection of any description as it is what is called an acute phase protein - so rises in response to infections (colds etc).

If you don't have an infection and the ferritin and serum iron levels are high then it can be caused by haemachromatosis - an inherited condition where iron builds up in your bosy. Symptoms (as someone already said) of high iron are very similar to low iron (tiredness, aches etc).The gene test your doc has sent away will tell them if this is the reason. Also if there are a few liver issues that can be another reason for elevated ferritin and iron. And then of course there are just some people who have higher levels of iron!! Treatment for heamachromatosis is as moocow said - donate blood regularly or if that isn't possible then the local labs will take blood off each month instread (the same volume as blood donation). As far as risks to your baby, in reality there are few other than if it is haemachromatosis then it is likely the baby could have also (inherited condition). But I am sure yer doc will explain it all once the results are back.

Hope this helps.

Cheers