High levels of iron in the lung linked to increased asthma severity.

[2greys]

Iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues is associated with worse asthma symptoms and lower lung function, according to new research published in the European Respiratory Journal [1].

The researchers say that the study, which includes data from asthma patient samples and mouse models, is the first to definitively show a relationship between iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues and the severity of asthma.

Experimental models also showed that iron build-up in the lungs triggers immune system responses that are typical in asthma and lead to worsening of the disease. This includes effects like increased mucus secretion and scarring of the lungs, which result in narrowing of the airways and making breathing difficult.

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[1] European Respiratory Journal.

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[Yatzy]

Really interesting, 2greys, thank you for finding this research report for us.

It’s extremely heartening to find that research is going on into asthma, I don’t read about it often enough, even though asthma is so prevalent. I tend to feel the condition just presses a button for the same old meds with GPs, without much forward thinking in research.

[O2Trees]

Interesting 2G. The article doesnt mention iron overload conditions like haemochromatosis. This is a hugely underdiagnosed genetic condition which you get if both parents have a mutated gene - so pretty random. I only discovered I have it 3 years ago after a specific blood test. There is no off-switch for iron absorption so iron gets stored in the heart, joints, liver and pancreas. Ive seldom heard lungs mentioned but I guess the excess iron can go anywhere. I have to have venesection (like giving blood) at hospital to reduce my iron levels. Im fascinated to see that iron in the lungs may be implicated in asthma.

There must be others with the condition here on the forum. It is often called the Celtic disease due to its predominance in those countries. Ive also heard it called the Viking disease so I guess it mainly occurs in northern countries.

[2greys in reply to O2Trees]

A very good point, I have a friend with haemochromatosis, he has to visit the vampire on a regular basis. With excess iron being in the blood then it stands to reason that it is in the lungs.

[O2Trees in reply to 2greys]

Yes it does. Yet no-one and nothing I read when diagnosed said so. But obvious when you think about it. Women get diagnosed late due to menstruation but many people never get diagnosed. Mine is relatively mild - Ive had 4 bleeds by a lovely vampire (love it!) nurse but she told me that some people have iron level of 2000 (mine was 192) and had to come every week for two years to get their blood iron levels back to normal.

I hope your friend is ok with it. Im being tested for type 1 diabetes at the moment as the iron messes with the pancreas and production of insulation. It's strange it's such an underdiagnosed condition.

[CDPO16]

A timely post for me, 2greys. My husband has restless leg syndrome and is going through a particularly bad patch at present. Having done some research he had read that a high dose of daily iron supplement has been shown to ease the problem. Having read your post and references this morning he has decided against taking an iron supplement. He had asthma as a child and very occasionally has wheezy spells now.

[Tugun in reply to CDPO16]

There are other Vitamins and Minerals that have been shown to help with restless legs. Also there are often many minerals or vitamins that are required for a supplement to be properly absorbed. I would encourage you to try for alternatives. A hair analysis is good to see the mineral balances in your body. It doesn't do vitamins. Blood tests are also great. Some minerals show up better in the hair analysis and visa versa.

Once (in the 1990's) a doctor prescribed me a higher dose of B6. I began to develop restless legs but stopped the supplement in time. Shortly after new research showed that I needed to be taking something else with the B6 which would have stopped the side effects. Sorry - can't remember what it was now except it wasn't iron - just that it would have stopped the development of restless legs.

All the best to you and your husband.

[CDPO16 in reply to Tugun]

Thank you. I will pass all this on to my husband.