Iron and RLS

[Melancon]

Hi I have RLS and I am thinking of trying Iron tablets.

What would be a good starting dose

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Melancon firstly have you had your ferritin level tested to find out what your number is, ? You shouldnt just start taking iron tablets without first finding out if you have low ferritin.

[Melancon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Elisse

[Hidden]

Just to second what Elisse says, there's quite a few deficiencies that can contribute to RLS. Iron is one of them, perhaps the most significant. Even if you don't have iron deficiency anaemia you may have insufficient "stored" iron and this is indicated by your Ferritin level.

However, although RLS appears to improve if you take something to correct a deficiency, if you have no deficiency in anything, then taking supplements may have little effect.

Taking iron can cause some unpleasant side effects as well.

Hence it's better to have your Ferritin tested before you start taking iron to see if you really need it.

Other possible deficiencies include vitamins D and B12.

[Melancon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that

Your right I will get it checked

Thanks

M

[Hidden in reply to Melancon]

When you do, ask for the exact result. Doctors quite often just say it's "normal" however what's considered normal is actually quite low.

I didn't realise this until last year. I have been having it tested for years and have always been told it's normal or simply been told nothing.

Luckily I now have online access to my medical record. The last time I had it tested it was 43. i.e. "normal". I asked my doctor about the result and she said although it was normal, as it was under 50 I could consider taking iron.

I also checked back and discovered my Ferritin has been below 30 for years.

Thanks to this community I have found that even 50 is too low for someone with RLS. There is some evidence that it should be at least 75 and some say 100. This makes sense because brain iron metabolism for at least some people with RLS isn't the same as "normal" people.

I started taking. iron then.

If your Ferritin is too low then, I suggest you come back here for further advice as raising it isn't exactly easy and there are a few tips you can get on it, that a doctor might not tell you.

[DicCarlson]

I agree - get a blood test, Ferritin level also % saturation. I never knew what RLS was 'til I had it. Docs said my 49 Ferritin level was normal with raging RLS. I had to tell them what I had. They gave me muscle relaxants. I would have gone down the pharma route easily except for this one quote "A study has shown that in patients whose serum ferritin was < 75 µg/l, oral iron therapy... on average improved RLS symptom after 3 months." I started with blackstrap molasses (a common home remedy for iron) - it immediately cut into RLS and I knew I was on to something. Went with ferrous bisglycinate chelate (Albion). 3 months later Ferritin was 105. albionferrochel.com/

hopkinsmedicine.org/neurolo...

[Wanman4]

I would urge you to check the Magnesium Advocacy Group on Facebook if you want some detailed info on iron. I personally take Beef Liver, which is a “Heme” type iron source. Good Luck!