So no one else has had increased neuropathy after supplementing with Vitamin D or iron?

Maybe it's something else. It's gotten even worse now, quite bad. It's a slightly different kind of neuropathy pain than I've had the last 15 years.

Hey Eric,

Sorry to hear of your continuing health issues. You've had it rough. As a fellow PN sufferer, these are my thoughts.

I think you may be coming at this from the wrong angle and that its not Iron Supplements and vitamin D causing your Health issues, its the anaemia itself. Sometimes the onset of neuropathy symptoms can be delayed. Perhaps the delayed onset and your ingestion of supplements coincided and you may have drawn the wrong conclusions? Nerve supply and blood supply are not independent of each other. Anaemia results in reduced transport of oxygen via haemoglobin in blood vessels to the peripheral nerves. This may and I stress may be the cause of your new symptoms. See the study below for this possible mechanism.

https://www.bibliomed.org/mnsfulltex...pdf?1606057781

Below is a good summary of how to boost iron levels.

Boosting iron absorption: A guide to for the science-minded

Most iron absorption occurs in the upper part of the intestine, the duodenum. Perhaps you need to pay attention to your diet and your microbiome.

Low Vitamin D levels are associated with poor health.


Best wishes

Thank you so much, Atticus, for your reply.

I have wondered the exact same thing. I know that anemia can cause neuropathy, and low vitamin D can increase pain (seen multiple studies).

However, I'd think in that case that supplementing w/Iron (lactoferrin w/28mg elemental iron) and w/vitamin D (via 2000 IU per day) would *help* the symptoms.

Instead, they seem to have made them much worse. I was having some moderate anemia symptoms, and mild neuropathy. Then, within days of starting the supplements, the neuropathy pain has skyrocketed the highest in over a decade.

Very discouraging.

Thanks again.

Hey Eric,

I don't know the answer but ...

I have alcohol induced PN. I gave up alcohol on February 2nd but I didn't hit peak symptoms until the end of March, beginning of April. I don't know why there was that delay ( can any reader explain please?) but there was. Given the whole host of health issues you endured, I can't help thinking the timing of your symptoms was coincidental with your supplementation.

Surely you have to treat the whole body and your anaemia has to be treated.

I wish you well.

Eric,

I have anemia too. My PCP told me instead of relying on supplements to get the extra iron I need, to look at my food intake. He suggested to eat more rich iron foods such as red meat. Ever since I have done this a couple of decades ago, I have been able to keep my anemia under better control. Plus, iron is crucial for muscle and nerve repair and rebuild just like B vitamins too. Look at more iron rich foods would be my other suggestion. I stay in tune with my body. If I have a soecific craving for a particular food, I know this is a sign my body is low on soecific vitamins and minerals.

Best wishes,


Diamond Tiger<3