In my latest attempt to get RLS under control I am attempting to take iron supplements (despite blood tests being normal, see attached). I've read perhaps iron levels can appear normal but are actual low in the brain.
Right now I take over-the-counter 65 mg iron supplement every day on an empty stomach. Not sure if there has been any improvement over the past two weeks, but I plan to continue for at least 3-4 weeks.
Is this supplement amount too little? Or too much (because iron levels are normal)?
Background:
I've tried weighted blankets, leg wraps, warm showers, exercise, no sugar, CBD lotion and pills (no THC), meditation, soundscapes, but all to no avail. I'm 26, I've suffered RLS and RAS for as long as i can remember, but it's gotten worse over the past two years. Not sure if I want to try prescription medication yet.
Anyone try those leg massagers? I think if I had something stimulating my legs or arms at night they might be better. What about acupuncture?
What also puzzles me is how every once in a while i'll sleep like a ROCK. I will then try to figure out if it was something that I did during the day. Once I had hiked all day long, another time I was at a campfire for a couple hours and wondered if the smoke helped and that aromatherapy might be viable. Anyways, I hope I can figure this all out eventually. Cheers everyone!
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RESTLESS4NEVER
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It has been shown that brain iron levels for people with RLS are lower than people who do not have RLS.
This is reflected in ferritin levels.
I have read that for somebody who has RLS to have the same brain iron level as a person that hasn't, their ferritin has to be at least 200 ng/mL. Yours is apparently already above that.
Taking an oral iron supplement to raise the ferritin level is only usually effective if it's less than 75ng/mL. Which yours isn't. It's also only going to raise it to about 100ng/mL in any event, at which point it becomes difficult to raise it any further.
As your ferritin is 304ng/mL there may be some merit in trying to raise it further, but oral supplements aren't going to be effective. Most of the 65mg you're taking will not be absorbed, over 98%.
To raise your ferritin further you would need an IV iron infusion.
The other possibility is that your ferritin result is skewed up. This may be because you have the test whilst still taking the supplement or you have some inflammation somewhere.
If it's not skewed, then taking any amount of oral iron is unlikely to have any effect.
Hmmm... "The other possibility is that your ferritin result is skewed up. This may be because you have the test whilst still taking the supplement or you have some inflammation somewhere." When I get my iron tested, should I be stopping my iron supplementation? If yes, for how many days before having the blood work done?
I have a couple questions. Did you supplement with iron prior to the test? How much were you taking and when did you stop taking supplements before the test?
Did you take this test in the morning and were you fasting before the test?
If this is a normal test for you I would suggest that iron may not be the issue for you.
Have you checked your Vitamin D levels? It is a seriously question. Google Scholar has 18k hits on RLS and Vitamin D.
My levels are where yours are at now, after an infusion and a year of solid iron supplementation everyday and twice a day in the beginning. I saw no benefit for me with a ferritin above 200.
My Vitamin D levels were low and I have been focusing on that too now. It may be helping. Too early to tell for sure.
I took test in the morning and fasted the recommended amount of time before the test (I just didnt eat since dinner the previous night).
I have not checked Vitamin D levels. Do you think this is a daily thing? Trying to think of correlation between having RLS during beach weeks or not haha
Thanks for your information on iron supplementation and infusion.
Will keep you updated.
Im interested in Magnesium. I stopped due to bad intestinal issues, but maybe it will improve if i use the better digesting magnesium. Curious if my weightlifting routine is affecting me as well. If not I will return to my PCP and see if she recommends the Non-DA subscriptions
I agree with Manerva. Do you take any OTC remedies like anti histamines or cough & cold meds? They can cause RLS. Do you do strenuous exercises later in the day? That can also trigger RLS.
Try keeping a food diary. Many report complete success by switching to a keto/paleo/low FODMAPS/low oxalate diet. Other triggers for some people are alcohol , sugar & coffee.
Magnesium citrate seems to help a lot of people as well.
What is defined as strenuous exercise? I tend to lift later in the day, since that's the only time i can workout, but I hardly break a sweat or am doing high intensity cardio. I haven't found a correlation with RLS on exercise days versus non-exercise days, but perhaps I will change my routine.
Thanks, I will take a food diary.
I took Magnesium citrate per doctor's recommendation, but couldn't bear the intestinal effects and RLS seemed unchanged. Do these intestinal pains go away?
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