Low Iron interpretation
 

IRON, SERUM or PLASMA 50 - 170 ug/dL my level 47
Iron Binding Capacity Total 240 - 450 ug/dL my level 263
TRANSFERRIN SATURATION 20 - 50 %sat my level 18

I got my iron tested to see if I have a genetic disease like my father (hemachromatosis) and it appears I don't. My doctor just said that my levels were low but not anemic and thats it. I don't understand the transferrring saturation and binding capacity along with low iron serum and what this may point to. My doctor didn't seem to think anything of it. Thoughts about having nueropathy, tachycardia along with low iron? I have started taking Iron supplements and it has helped me feel better and have less nueropathy but my tachycardia seems to be getting worse.

He is probably saying everything is ok since your are within normal ranges on two of them and only slightly low on one.

Did you try to google the results?

I can only comment in general.... Males typically do not get low iron test results. If you used those acid blocking drugs for a long time, they would reduce your ability to absorb iron.

Also if you are low in protein consumption in the diet, the proteins involved with making ferritin would not be made as efficiently.
Acid lowering drugs affect protein absorption from food reducing amino acids that can then be used to make peptides, the carrier proteins in the blood, albumin and globulin, and tissue repair.

Lower iron tests in males also points to a bleed somewhere...either the kidneys or GI tract. However your results are not dramatically low yet.

I have seen some males (under 50 yrs old)who otherwise look pretty healthy having low iron, mostly due to the chronic GERD acid reducing drug use.

Anemia can be due to low B12 and low copper. (both affected by acid lowering drugs as well).

With your medical history you discussed with me in PM, that history could be a culprit as well.

Signs of low iron can be restless legs with cramping, shortness of breath, pale conjunctiva in the eyes, and pale nail grounds.
If you don't have any of these yet, your doctor may not be too concerned yet.

If you self medicate with an iron product, do get testing say in 6months to see if anything has improved. You need to be monitored on iron by your doctor.

Thanks for the info. I have been off PPI for almost 7 months. I need to add more protein to my diet and started taking iron supplements that have b12 and vitaminc in them. I have been experiencing shortness of breath and cramping legs but they could be realted to other issues. I was also tested for copper levels a few months back and they were also low. I would be very surprised if my B12 was low due to all the b12 supplements I have been taking.

Low copper is very rare, and as MrsD stated, can cause anemia AND neuropathy. You should get to the bottom of the copper and you may resolve/help both.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_deficiency

When I went to Mayo Clinic in 2007 for my neuropathy, they discovered that I had iron deficiency anemia, but could make no connection between that and neuropathy. I had my stool tested for blood and got an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, which all found nothing. It went away a few years later.
Ron

Hi Lewie,
Have you had your hemoglobin and hematocrit checked recently. That is a good indicated as to whether or not your binding capacity is sufficient.

Do you have any of the symptoms of low iron, fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain, feeling cold all the time, pale. Pull down the bottom eyelid and see if the lining is red or pale. If it is pale it can be a indicated of low iron.

Also, don't forget it is a fat soluble supplement. Most of it is not discreted but stored in your body. If you are not that low and it looks like you are not, don't take to much.

If I remember correctly you should take it with food. It can be very harsh on the stomach. Also causes constipation, a stool softener may be needed. I also think I remember you need to be careful drinking tea at the time you take it. If you drink it wait about a half hour after taking the iron.

I would request your doctor to test again after you are taking it for about 6 weeks.

Hopeful