MMA rechecked

[Kimme1029]

So my last urine MMA was end of November/early Dec 2019.

Result was 2.7 and top of range is 2.2

Just last week did a recheck on my urine MMA. The result is 2.1.

So now I'm actually IN range.. Just barely. But I am there. My B12 lozenges are working and I am seeing improvement. I estimate at this rate by the end of this year I should be feeling pretty good.

My biggest issue now is that my iron is dropping so fast I have to keep taking the iron pills. I don't know what is draining my iron but I know I need to stay on it. Magnesium too. I'm eating better. My test results are improving and my Dr is happier.

I just wanted to update for those that were following my posts. My hair is still falling out but I think it's falling out less. I think I may be slightly less yellow. Not sure.

[Hidden]

Iron needs an acid environment for uptake. People with PA have damaged parietal cells that make stomach acid. This can impede iron absorption. I have this issue. I take 3 spa tone sachets day and increased by ferritin from 19 to 177.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

Do ferritin and haem (heme) iron require an acidic environment?

I believe that ferritin and haem have entirely separate uptake mechanisms.

Absorption of iron from ferritin is independent of heme iron and ferrous salts in women and rat intestinal segments.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222...

[fbirder in reply to helvella]

Yup.

That's why eating animals is the best way of getting iron into the body.

[Kimme1029 in reply to fbirder]

Many years ago as a teenager and 20s I used to wake up and grill steaks/burgers/chicken/fish before the sun came up. I ate LOTS of meat(and greens and juiced fresh produce). I was extremely healthy and felt my best. I never needed any vitamins or iron pills. I miss that.

Now..with 1 toddler and bringing in the only paycheck my diet is definitely suffering due to life. I have put back some weight I lost so I don't look sickly skinny anymore. I eat much better than 6 months ago however nothing like how I used to.

I know I still have weak stomach acid but I don't seem to suffer that silent reflux anymore. I guess I just can't seem to get enough iron despite eating meats. I definitely can't afford to eat meat how I used to.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

I have absolutely no idea I am not a scientist nor a doctor. I was told this by my gastroenterologist and followed his advice and it worked.

I am passing on his advice in the event that the OP finds it helpful.

He also told me best way to get iron is through meat but I find it difficult to suggest presumably because I have low stomach acid as I certainly didn’t have an issue prior to P.A.!

[Kimme1029 in reply to Hidden]

I've been trying to increase the meat I've been eating. My paycheck and family situation makes it hard to afford as much meat as a family that we need but.. The meat doesn't seem to be enough. I still have to take the iron pills. I have low dose 25mg iron bisglycinate. It works as long as I keep taking it. I can tell a difference when I don't take it. I get much more tired all day. My digestion is worse. I get really cold.