What is causing my

jaw joint, the back teeth or the throat. So if your ears are given the all- clear, then it would be worth seeing your dentist. QI

am a 44- year- old man and on a recent check- up, my GP discovered that my iron levels were very high. Test results show that I do not have haemochromatosis but my ferritin levels are sky- high. What does this mean?

AIRONis needed to make haemoglobin, the red pigment that transports oxygen around the body in the bloodstream. Normally the body maintains a steady level of iron, with the amount absorbed from food varying according to the body’s need for it.

When doctors do blood tests to measure iron levels, they actually check the level of a substance called ferritin, which is a protein that stores iron and releases it into the body when it is needed.

Levels of ferritin may rise on a temporary basis whenever there is inflammation in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be linked to Type 2 diabetes and an overactive thyroid gland.

Persistent high ferritin levels can also be a sign of excess iron in the body and one of the most common reasons for this is a genetic disorder known as haemochromatosis, where the body cannot control its own iron levels but rather continually absorbs too much.

The other common cause of high ferritin levels is liver disease. Ferritin is stored in liver cells and when they are damaged the ferritin leaks out. This can occur from drinking just a little too much alcohol, especially if you drink every day.

Being overweight can make the problem worse. If your GP has ruled out other medical conditions, then your lifestyle is probably to blame.

It would be a good idea to really cut back on the booze and make sure that you have at least two alcohol- free days each week.