One of the lucky ones

[KatA1]

I just wanted to pop a post on here that might help some people.

I suffered from RLS in my teens and then for the last 9 years (I am now 44). About 3 months ago I felt like I was at breaking point as I was getting on average an hours sleep a night.

I have been to the doctors a couple of times and was basically told I had to live with it.

Anyway 3 months ago I went again and asked for a blood test. The doctor assured me there would be nothing wrong with my bloods but agreed.

3 days later I got a call to say I had iron levels of 5 and I needed to go straight in to pick up an iron tablets.

After 6 days of taking the tablets my RLS just disappeared from one night to the next and I have gone from hours and hours lying awake in bed to being asleep within 5 minutes of my head hitting the pillow.

I know I am one of the lucky ones as I think only 25% of rls is due to iron deficiency but I am hoping some of you haven’t had blood tests yet and it could be the reason.

[Hidden]

Hi Kat welcome to the "iron helps some RLS sufferers club." I am not anemic by any means with stores around 100 yet one or two 25mg capsules of ferrous bisglycinate before bed on an empty stomach will rid me of RLS for the night. Doesn't seem to have the same affect if I take the iron in the morning or if I take a type other than the bisglycinate. Welcome aboard and congratulations.

[Graham3196]

Great to hear this. I am about to have an iron infusion to try to get ferritin up to about 350 so hearing that the oral iron works for you is very encouraging.. My Ferritin is about 100 at the moment and iron tablets no longer get it any higher.

Cheers

Graham

[Pluto46]

What's your iron count today?

[LotteM]

Bodziu, they rarely are outside limits. Did you ask for the actual figures?? Especially ferritin? And also ask for transferrin saturation.

[Allyp69]

Glad iron is helping...will check my levels ☺️

[LotteM]

B, just ‘one’ iron pill will not help. Taking iron (most here prefer iron bisglycinate or ‘gentle iron’) one pill a day will usually do no harm. EXCEPT when you already have an iron overload. Thus, before starting to take supplements, including iron, it is always wise to get a blood test and aak for the actual levels. The results list from the lab will usually include ‘normal’ upper and lower levels.

And if you do decide to start taking iron (one or teo pills together, before bed on an enpty stomach, every other day; or try iron patch), have your iron levels tested again after max 6 months, for the same reason. And of course it is always best to discuss with your doctor.

Good luck and keep us posted.