Iron levels
 

I just had my iron levels measured. Since my neuropathy presents many coinidences with RLS and i heard it can be caused by iron deficiency i thought i should give it a try. The results show 40.1 ng/dl. Is that considered a low level?? Should I try iron supplementation?? I have heard excess iron can also lead to damage so.. do you think it would be dangerous to take some iron supplement??

Thank you

Monica

Monica...
 

your doctor who did the test is the best resource for you for iron replacement.
For dosing and length of time to use.

Monica , You have not mentioned the normal range of the blood test.
I can tell and you might already know that Iron plays a crucial role in our body.
If doc/you suspect Iron, Please do test Ferritin level also(Iron stores in your body).

I am iron deficient.

Doc checked Ferritin (which for me was 18) range 10-232
Iron total which was 55 range 40-175 (before supplementation it was 37)
Iron Binding Capacity which was 416 (range 250-450)
and % saturation 13% which was low (range 15-50%)

They should also compare to hemoglobin levels and others on the cbc test.

My low iron was due to heavy mentrusal bleeding. Doc told me to supplement with over the counter iron but it did not improve much until I went back on birth control to help the bleeding.

He now has me on Repliva - new prescription ioron supplements and we do blood every 2 months.

If you supplement with iron do it away from any mild or calcium supplements.

Also it is beter absorbed with Vitamin C

But you should work with doc to determine if you shuld supplement iron can be a tricky thing and if you overcompensate that is not good either.

Good luck

Sorry I actually had my Ferritin levels measured. The normal range for the lab for females is 11-307 ng/ml. My levels, as i said before, turned out to be 40.11 Ng/ml. So apparently there's no deficiency. Do you think i should rule it out or i should have the rest of tests done??

Thank you!

I have no idea about supplements and I agree about asking your doc. Do you foods with iron in it? Even many cereals like bran flakes contain it I think.

Monica always good to have the complete iron picture done but your ferritin seems ok but best to consult with your doc.

Just got my latest blood tests back and I have improved my iron levels!!!! :D Took 2 months though. Doc said a full 4 months of supplementing before stopping because it takes a while to up the stores.

Ferritin 28 up from 18 (range 10-291)
Iron 89 up frm 55 (range 35-155)
Iron Sat % 20 up from an alert level of 11% (range (15-55%)
Iron Binding Capacity 439 was 416 (range 250-450)

Now if I could just fix those cholesterol numbers I would feel better but those Birth control pills contribute.

I just eat foods that have iron in them rather than taking pills for it because they can be toxic. I have a Mediterranean blood type, even though I'm as pale as Conan Obrian, probably brought about after the great plagues. Anyway, thats good to hear you are back at those levels. If you are taking pills for it just cut back on them before you store too much and get sick. If you can find a good multi vitamin, that is about all you really need once a day. I've been trying to explain this to my wife when she gets tired all the time when taking her mental drugs. So I remind her to take at least her B's so that the body can repair the mind with parts. That is perhaps the best way of looking at vitamins is parts. Protein is also like parts. You need them parts to rebuild. Of course you also need energy in the form of oils, carbs, some sugars and such to power the muscles and brain. Snacking on junk food all day and slurping down soda is just energy with almost no parts. You would think more people would die with the foods they stuff in a box these days.