Neuropathy and Iron Deficiency
 

hi,
in spite of having normal results on basic labs, the only thing that was abnormal recently was iron saturation 12% (15 + range), ferritin(bottom normal), total iron (bottom normal), iron binding (very normal mid range).

I'm wondering if there are any ties to PN and iron deficiency?
Besides nutritional deficiency, I read chronic/ autoimmune disease can cause low iron?

For a long time, I had what they call now "restless legs". When my symptoms were beginning to affect me noticeably, I had a lot of muscle aching and "restless legs" episodes like I never had before in my leg muscles.

Recently I read that restless legs can be a sign of PN or iron deficiency, could iron deficiency then cause PN, I'm curious if anyone has explored this?

B12 is somehow connected with iron absorption/metabolizing, but my b12 is absolutely strong. Is there still benefit to supplementing?

I still have not tested Methly(?sp) Acid (b12 level indicator)...

If you have poor acid in the stomach, you will not absorb iron properly. This can be genetic, or from the the use of acid blocking drugs for long periods.

Also gluten intolerance will cause poor absorption of nutrients.

I would definitely get the MMA test for B12 activity. If you have cyano floating around in the serum it will test positive. And therefore if you don't have the genetic capacity to convert to methylB12 which is the active form in the body, your serum test would not reflect a low. The MMA is specific to B12 ACTIVITY...so is more revealing. Some people also get the homocysteine test, but that is optional.

Low iron is definitely associated with some forms of RLS.

And--
 

--while I do not know of a DIRECT connection between low iron and peripheral neuropathy, consistently low iron would indicate malabsorption symptoms should be investigated, celiac and gluten intolerance among them.

Celiac can directly cause neuropathy, and the malabsorption of vitamins and minerals due to malabsorption from celiac can produce neuropathy in its own right.