Normal Ferritin Levels?

[catherinem13]

Are high ferritin levels a necessity for RLS? Apparently mine were done in June and were normal

[jimeka]

Hi Leighcath, what are you calling normal? I had mine done last month and my doc said mine were ok but when I asked what it was it was 46 which is too low when you have Rls.

I take iron everyday as I cannot store ferritin so it is very difficult to keep mine elevated.

Read up about it on the Rls web site and see where your levels should be and if too low ask your doc for some iron supplements. I cannot take ferrous sulphate so I take ferrous fume rate. Hope this helps. Cheers Jimeka

[Hidden]

Hi ask for the actual figure as its best if your ferratin level is between 70 and 100 which is much higher than what is accepted as normal by doctors. You can still have restless legs with a high ferratin level as in my case my ferratin level is 80 but I still have restless legs.From what you have said before yours is primary genetic type which means that even with a high level you still have restless legs.Still always best to get those levels up.Some people have secondary rls which may be caised by low ferratin.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

We also have to remember that some of us have both the primary and the secundary form of RLS. As p1pp1ns says ferritin shall always be around 75-100 for us. Hard to mae some doctrs understand tat.

[catherinem13]

Mine was 12.5 apparently.. No idea what that means!

[Hidden in reply to catherinem13]

It means its too low so iron supplements would be beneficial

[catherinem13 in reply to Hidden]

Okay just over the counter supplements? Does it have anything to do with severity of RLS? Sorry for the questions I just have no idea about these things! X

[Hidden in reply to catherinem13]

As I say my ferratin is 80 so veey good but it makes no difference to my restless legs, some people have had iron infusions and got their levels up over 100 and still have rls.I doubt it will make much difference and wont get rid of your rls from what you have told us before . However and I dont know why we are told as rks sufferers we need to have good ferratin levels! Yes over the counter will be ok but may cause constipation.Have you got your neuro apot sorted yet? X

[catherinem13 in reply to Hidden]

Okay great thank you! This has happened so many times to me when I had glandular fever- being told things are totally normal then you realise although they aren't very concerning they can still be helped! So annoying! Yes apparently my appointment had 'slipped through' but the waiting list is at 20-23 weeks! That's me at 16 weeks though so hopefully not too long to wait x

[Hidden]

Meant appt? X

[Hidden]

The other medicines that you are on need to be considered before adding iron tablets to your pill regimen.. I doubt that you are on many medicines at your age but ya just never know anymore so just consider that when asking your doctor if you can take extra iron. Iron "CAN" damage the liver ..especially if you are taking some pain relief (sold over the counter) and it's hidden in cold medicines (if you don't check labels) so please check with the doctor and check your daily multi-vitamin to make sure that it doesn't already contain iron before your doctor visit.. I agree with what the others said about the levels needing to be higher but make sure it's safe. Good luck.

[catherinem13 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not on any other medication but thank you very much for your help, I will enquire

[suemont]

Mine are normal too. But there's no denying I have RLS

[Hidden]

Always take iron pills with your doctor knowing, your doctor can prescribe them for you. Your ferritin level should be retested every three months by your doctor to see if the level has been raised. It can take months and months for that level rise. And you still will probably not get any more relief from the RLS. It depends on the person. Taking iron is not always the answer, but worth trying. Too much iron can make you ill. so please do the iron pills through your doctor so he can keep an eye on that ferritin level.

[Hidden]

I have too much iron - unlike most people, my body doesn't regulate the amount of iron I absorb so my iron levels have to be regulated artificially. So I have read a lot about iron levels and I know that doctors vary hugely in what they think is the ideal level. 8 years ago my consultant aimed to keep it below 20 - now they are happy to let it rise to 100. Unfortunately this made no difference to my RLS.