iron supplements

[Kowbie]

hello just enquiring if you think I should take iron supplements, my serum iron was 10 (5.83/34.5) it has now gone up a bit to 13.6 same range,saturated 20% folate 3.3 (3/26-8) drs say everything is fine I do get restless leg syndrome and am on ropinerole but have started getting it in the daytime as well sends me potty would appreciate any advice as I don’t want to do the wrong thing for iron thank you

[Nackapan]

Your folate is low.Was your ferritin tested? .

I would get back to Gp.

With your ongoing symptoms

Was you vit b12 tested ?

Or are you on b12 injectiona already?

Do you take a standard multivit ?

They usually have 200-400 mcg folic acid .

Also around 14mg iron in the mix.

[Kowbie in reply to Nackapan]

Thankyou for getting back to me, I am on vit d it was under dr just said you can buy them , now it’s 71(50/140) b12 I’m supplementing myself as well it’s now 526 (197/771) ferritin was 130 no range , I was just worried about iron as it seemed low I thought , I had spoken with go don’t really seem interested I was on folate and a couple of months ago they stopped them it’s now gone back down to 3,3 but she wouldn’t give me another prescription for it said they don’t prescribe if it’s over 3 thankyou

[Kowbie in reply to Nackapan]

Sorry to bother you again,but do you think I should get a multi vitamin,I have an underactive thyroid and they don’t believe in taking multivitamins I don’t know what to do but thankyou for your help

[Nackapan in reply to Kowbie]

As i said best toGet back yo your G.p.

They look at all your results together.

Its really bad they haven't advised going by your symptoms.

Or discussed your iron result.

I take a multivit . Personal choice as have regular blood tests .

Also need low maintenence dose of iron.

G.p aware.

They used to prescribe iron now say to buy it.

I have no experience with thyroid problems.

[Kowbie in reply to Nackapan]

Thankyou I’ve spoken with gp several times about it they just don’t seem bothered, but thankyou for your help much appreciated

[Nackapan in reply to Kowbie]

Good you've managed to discuss it with a Gp several times as I realise very difficult to access s G.p.

So it's up to you to decide about a RDA multivit.

Getting more in your diet and having vitami c to help absorb more.

Fortified cereals .

[Kowbie in reply to Nackapan]

Thankyou , I’ll get some I think and give it a try thanks .hope your feeling well , bye for now

[FlipperTD]

Scientist, not medic.

A low serum iron is a symptom of something else going on. That's where your GP comes in.

Iron balance is very finely regulated normally, and it's virtually impossible to get rid of excess iron, which is why it's wise to follow medical advice. Iron in excess is toxic, and horribly so. Be careful!

[Kowbie in reply to FlipperTD]

Thankyou for getting back to me,so you think it’s ok and don’t need to supplement thanks again

[FlipperTD in reply to Kowbie]

Hi. You may need some supplementation, but it's hard to tell. Supplements on their own can be helpful but you need to know what you're taking and why. Excess iron is toxic. Body iron is recycled as a normal part of things, unless you have, for example, chronic blood loss due to any reason. In years gone by I have seen patients in hospital who became iron deficient because of the amount of blood being taken, day by day. I know this because I was one of those given instructions to take it! Those days are well behind us now, thankfully. It's one to discuss with your GP, and if your GP doesn't seem to think you need it, then you probably don't, but there's nothing whatsoever wrong with a bit of nagging. Quite often there will be a well-informed nurse in the practice, and they may be able to reassure you. Good luck.

[Kowbie in reply to FlipperTD]

Thankyou for getting back to me, I’ve ordered some now , that has folate and b12 in as well thought if I took one every other day so I don’t go over , as serum iron was only 10 and folate only 3.3 see how I go thankyou appreciate your reply

[FlipperTD in reply to Kowbie]

The important thing is that you don't just keep on taking them without some supervision, but it sounds like you know what you're doing! Good luck.

[Kowbie in reply to FlipperTD]

Thankyou I hope you well