I recently had an Iron Profile done and my ferritin result came back as 17ug/l .
The doctor said this was normal, but I read on here that Ferritin is one of the big issues for RLS. I'm frustrated as they know about my issues with RLS and I've had to fight for years to get them to take it seriously.
My other iron profile results were:
Iron levels in blood: 9.2 umol/L
Transferrin saturation: 12%
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) 74umol/L
Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) 64 umol/L.
I have been taking General Iron Complex every other day for at least 3 months (This contains iron bisglycinate (17mg) with a B12 and C) I am still on Pramipexole (2 x 0.088mg) per day. I really want to ween off the Pramipexole as I have augmented before.
Is there anything else I can do to raise my Ferritin levels?
thanks in advance!
Written by
jenki2
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Hm. Interesting that your iron levels are still so low after supplementing for 3 months. And the doctor called it 'normal'. Maybe according to the standards, but only marginally so.
Of you can, try to get a referral to an haematologist. Given your low values after 3 months supplementing, I suspect your absorption is unusually low. It should be looked into.
Thank you ever so much for your kind and helpful reply.I was miffed too.
Good morning, or whatever is where you are.
My first suggestion is that perhaps you should change your doctor.
You'd expect most doctors to have little understanding of ferritin levels in relation to RLS. They're of course right that a ferritin level of 17ug/L is normal IF you don't have RLS.
Neither of your other two results however are normal. True, I'm not a doctor but the infirmation on normal serum iron and transferrin sat levels is readily available.
Both yours are low. A sat level below 25% would indicate iron deficiency, if not anaemia.
Have you had a full blood count test?
The aim with the ferritin is to raise it to at least 100ug/L. If it's less than 75, it can be raised using oral iron supplements.
However, if you're suffering iron deficiency generally, it will be difficult to raise stored iron levels because the stored iron will be used to counteract the iron deficiency.
Put another way, the iron deficiency takes precedence.
The only other options, is to try and increase how much iron you absorb, look at what might be preventing you absorbing it or have an IV iron infusion.
The only suggestion I have about increasing absorption is to take it every OTHER day, not daily.
You may be taking medicines or other supplements that prevent iron absorption, e.g. antacids or magnesium.
I can only say that apparently, in my opinion, any Dr who thinks a sat level of 12% normal doesn't appear to be competent.
I followed Manerva’s past advice on taking iron in a double dose every other night, often with some vitamin C (a glug of fruit juice) and over 3 months it went from 75 to 140 so it seems to work (although doesn’t seem to have helped RLS). Again on recommendation from this forum I used Holland and Barrett gentle iron, 20 mg tablets which contain ferrous bisglycinate. Your levels do seem right at the low end of the spectrum.
Hi there, Once my Consultant saw my ferritin levels were low he referred me for IV ferritin infusions. They worked like magic! I wish he hadn't retired 😕Good luck 👍
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