Iron Test Results

[Mulberry100]

Could I please share my results, I struggle sometimes to follow what I should be looking for. I had a full fasting iron panel test that had to be repeated because my transferrin saturation was below range at 15% (suggested range was 20.0 - 40.0)., therefore, I am wondering if 40mg Solgar Gentle Iron Bisglycinate, taken every other day with orange juice, is sufficient? When it is suggested that Ferritin needs to be over100 is that Serum Ferritin? Mine read 130 ug/L (11.0 - 307).

I recently had a bad fall and as I already had Tramadol 50mg which I was taking just 1 at bedtime, with 1200 Gabapentin (split into 2), the hospital prescribed 100mg Tramadol every 6 hours, which resulted in my restless legs very nearly stopping. I have since reduced to taking 100mg at 6pm and 100 at bedtime, because pain is very much worse in the evenings and night, with equally good results. I am hoping my doctor will continue to prescribe the Tramadol, as I feel that at 75 I am not too concerned if I do become addicted!! Fingers crossed.

I have so much faith in this site I would very much value comments. Many thanks.

[SueJohnson]

Serum ferritin is ferritin, so yours is fine. However if your transferrin saturation is 15% you need an iron infusion. You said you had to have it repeated because it was 15% but you didn't say what it was on the repeat test or haven't you gotten the results on that yet. You won't become addicted on the tramadol you are taking as it is within the amounts that are considered effective for RLS. That's great that it is very nearly stopping your RLS. If you have problems getting your doctor to continue to prescribe it, print out the appropriate section to show him or her of the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a... On the gabapentin that you are correctly taking in divided doses, I assume you are taking it 2 hours apart.

[Mulberry100 in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you for the speedy reply. I hadn’t realised that the printout I have is for the 1st test, I have just spoken to the surgery and admin cannot see the more recent results. I have asked for an appointment with GP only to be told “no appointments for 2 weeks”. This is the norm in UK at present! I have some 200mg Ferrous Sulfate tablets that were given to me by GP, which I was reluctant to take because of the severe constipation I suffered, maybe I should start taking them? Getting a iron infusion here is like pulling hens teeth. I have taken on board your comments re Tramadol, thank you, my doctor does listen when I quote this site.

[SueJohnson in reply to Mulberry100]

You could take the Solgar Gentle Iron Bisglycinate, which is better than ferrous sulfate as far as constipation while you wait for your more recent tests. Take it at least one hour before a meal or coffee and at least 2 hours afterward and preferably at night since iron is absorbed more at night. There are doctors that will prescribe iron infusions in London, but most you need to see privately since the waiting list can be a year. If you desire to go that route, check with Joolsg.

[Mulberry100 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you. One last question, would it be wise to double up on the Gentle Iron ie take 80mg every other day, while waiting for results? Having spoken to admin at my surgery I have a feeling that the wrong test was carried out and I may well have to have it redone.

[SueJohnson in reply to Mulberry100]

You could do that. You could even take that much every 24 hours as long as you make sure it is not sooner than 24 hours.

[LanaCSR in reply to Mulberry100]

Iron gives me bad constipation, too. My doctor recommended taking Miralax, and it works GREAT for the constipation and is very mild on the stomach. You should be able to buy it over the counter. This way you can use up the iron your doctor gave you without having to buy more of another kind. Good luck!

[Mulberry100]

Thank you very much.

[DicCarlson]

More on iron tests here...

bloodtestsresults.com/iron-...

Interesting article here - they don't mention augmentation, but iron supplements did raise the % Sat.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[wildlegs]

I’ve been taking tramadol for 20 years now (I’m 78) with good results. I take 100 mg a day and one mg of pramipexole. I had a hard time getting tramadol when I moved to a different state and had a tough time with my legs but fortunately that lasted only three months. I’ve had RLS for 30+ years and Tramadol works.

[Stevie777]

hiya, I have a similar story to yours but 12 years ago. At that time I had a knee operation and was prescribed Tramadol and miraculously I could lay still and not thrash about as I would normally do. My doctor at that time also suffered from RLS and was empathetic and knew about the benefits of opioids and continued to prescribe. I am still taking Tramadol 12 years later. I had to gradually up the dose to keep the benefits and capped it after about 6 months to a year at the maximum daily dose of 400mgs slow release split into 2 doses roughly 12 hours apart . It works for me 70% I’d say. I do have insomnia still but at least it’s not that terrible restless feeling .

The only thing I would say is that once you are on it for a few months you will not be able to stop easily. The withdrawal is unthinkable so I do feel somewhat enslaved to Tramadol. I have to be very careful not to find myself in a situation where I I don’t have it , never run out etc otherwise around 14/16 hours later the withdrawal starts with giant yawns and sweats and a generally awful feeling . A lot of people seem to react badly to Tramadol , I never had that, the slightly euphoric feeling goes quite soon once you are regularly on it .

I can also say that in all the years I have not known any bad side effects apart from a little constipation . I have my full bloods done once a year and they have remained consistently good so no apparent damage to liver and kidneys.

Just remember once you start you may well have to increase the dosage and if you want to stop it is not going to be easy at all and even a well tapered reduction will still result in a dramatic increase in your RLS. Of course everyone is different, but this my experience.

I am hoping to wean off Tramadol and go o to Methadone if my doctor will permit, simply because after 12 years it’s not working as well as it used too.

Hope this helps

[Mulberry100 in reply to Stevie777]

Thanks for you interesting reply, how amazing to have a doctor who is a fellow sufferer. I have taken on board your experiences and am going to try and reduce as soon as the pain from my fall eases. Before fall I was taking just one 50mg with my last dose of Gabapentin and it really wasn’t successful. Immediately after fall I was taking 100mg every6 hours (400i spread over 24 hours) which was when I had no restless legs at all. I’m now taking 100mg at 6pm and 100 at midnight, with mild RLS for a short time. I can cope with the pain in the day, but not at night. Having said that, I would prefer to keep the pain, which is extreme nerve pain, and never have restless legs!

I started my RL journey at least 35 years ago with no medication, just soap at the bottom of the bed followed by corks!! At some stage I was referred to a geriatric clinic (age 40ish) and put on Neupro patches, great for a couple of years then horrendous augmentation!

It has been bliss to have slept for more than 2 hours at night and I had been thinking that addiction to Tramadol at my age is not something I was too bothered about, however, augmenting on it and having to wean off is very scary, hence I am taking your comments very seriously.

I hope you are successful with your request for Methadone. Are you living in the UK?