Good iron levels for the four blood tests relevant to RLS?

[YodaDog]

Hi - is anyone out there able to tell me what are good levels for the four iron related blood tests that we should be having done?

My levels when they were last tested in July 2019 were:

Iron binding capacity - 316 ug/dL

Transferrin-calc (%sat) - 35%

Serum ferritin - 109.9 ng/mL

Serum iron - 112 ug/dL

Thanks

[Madlegs1]

Your serum ferritin reading is the relevant one ( unless you get a brain blood iron reading, which could be terminal)

At 109 it would be generally regarded as acceptable, but recent reports are looking at readings as high as 400, to be effectivel.

Again , iron is only a relieving factor for maybe 40% of sufferers. For the rest of us , it is irrelevant. 🤕😥

[Hidden]

We have a resident expert on iron levels and hopefully you'll get a response.

Your results look better than mine!

There is evidence that a significant number of people benefit from ferritin being at least 100ug/L as Madlegs says, but not apparently, everyone.

Reputed RLS experts are now saying it should be 300 or more. It might be a considerably long and expensive journey getting it that high and still no benefit, however.

Moderation in all things, if your RLS is under satisfactory control why pursue it further?

It's only my opinion, I 'd hate to spend too much time avoiding magnets.

[YodaDog in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. It is under control, but I am taking quite a cocktail of drugs and I would like to come off the DAs, so I want to make sure my iron levels are at least somewhere near where they should be.

[YodaDog in reply to Hidden]

PS I thought you were the resident expert on all things RLS related!! Thank you for all your contributions.

[DicCarlson]

Those levels look good. My severe RLS was a Ferritin Level of 49 with a % saturation of 20%. Supplementation raise it to 105 and 30%, and relieved the severe symptoms. Here's a great explanation of the different numbers... bloodtestsresults.com/iron-...

[YodaDog in reply to DicCarlson]

Thanks

[WideBody in reply to DicCarlson]

Thank you so much for that link! Awesome find!

[WideBody]

Assuming the test was done in the morning and fasted, then IMO you are certainly in the "normal" range. But not on the high side. TSAT can go from 20-50%. Some experts recommend a Ferritin of 200 or higher.

So I would have to ask. How long have you had RLS? Is it genetic?

Have you tried supplementing before? I don't think it would be dangerous at your levels to try supplementing with iron for 3 months or so to see if it helps. Of course retesting is necessary.

[YodaDog in reply to WideBody]

Have had RLS about 15 years, wish we knew then what we know now and I would just start on the iron supplementation first then look into other supplements, then dietary changes and then only meds as a last resort.

Had a previous ferritin test in March 2019 and it was 53, so doctor put me on ferrous sulphate and it went up to 110 in July that year. And yes it was in the morning and after fasting (even though I wasn't told to, I just thought it better to do so).

[WideBody]

Have you noticed any improvement in your symptoms? Obviously you are absorbing it since your results are up.

I agree with you, I wish I got an infusion when I was first diagnosed anemic

[YodaDog]

I believe so yes