Iron supplementation

[Thyroid2468]

I apologize, I have been looking at past posts but having trouble finding the best answer. I most likely have RLS, and doc wants to increase my Ferritin to 100. They recommend iron but don't say what kind, or how best to take it. Other then that the Neurologist was fantastic. So I was hoping some of you who have studied Iron can help me answer these questions. thank you!!! Ps, I am taking magnesium Glycinate, Vitamin D3 and Pregabalin 25mg (being increased to 50 mg). taking .25 klonopin but would like to get off of that, and 3mg melatonin. (levothyroxine in morning so can't take iron in morning).

[Madlegs1]

Gentle iron / ferrous bisglycinate is what you need. Every second night on empty stomach with vit c- /orange juice.

I would also reduce your dose of melatonin, down to 0.3mg or forgo it altogether. Why are you taking it, because it is a known trigger for rls. I just take 250 micrograms 0.25 mg rarely to help me sleep.

Others will come on to correct me and give better advice!💚

[Thyroid2468 in reply to Madlegs1]

thank you! I have taken melatonin for a year or so now because I have problems sleeping and have thrown everything in to try to sleep. (Sue J, I take the melatonin at night, sorry if confusing. I was saying I can't take iron in morning because I take levothyroxine).

I have an appointment with a movement disorder clinic to continue to rule out, RLS or possibility of Parkinsons. First neuro just thinks RLS thus far. So I kept taking Melatonin because I read it could be helpful for Neurogenerative diseases. But I will certainly cut it out to see if it helps!

Joolsg I just read about Hepcedin, thanks for the idea of every other night. Do any of you recommend a certain brand of ferrous bisglycinate, (not sure if that is allowed on this thread)....

I also find it confusing....Is RLS and iron problem or a dopamine problem or are both related.

thanks all....

[Joolsg]

I agree with Madlegs. Melatonin worsens RLS so should be avoided.

Iron is best taken at night on an empty stomach just before sleep. Non constipating Ferrous bisglycinate ( gentle iron) is the most recommended on here. Take 3 x 25mg at night. Some say vit C is needed to help absorption but recent studies discount this.

I used to take EVERY other night as studies show levels rise faster this way by fooling Hepcedin.

Links attached.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/314...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/331...

[SueJohnson]

Take magnesium 2 hours apart from iron as it inhibits the absorption. Iron raises your ferritin slowly especially with a ferritin of only 39. You might want to take the iron every day but be sure to take it at least 24 hours apart. Get a new blood test in 3 months. Take iron at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee. Otherwise the advice by Madlegs1 and Joolsg is spot on. And yes melatonin is known to make RLS worse. Why would you take it in the morning since it is used to promote sleep?

[SueJohnson]

Correction - don't take tumeric as it interferes with the absorption of iron not pregabalin.

[Thyroid2468 in reply to SueJohnson]

thanks!

[SueJohnson]

The diagnosis of RLS is mainly by the following: All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition. Since you have trouble sleeping, I would suggest ativan or ambien. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Thyroid2468 in reply to SueJohnson]

yes, what was once an irregular night time discomfort in my lower limbs, now affects me when I am sitting upright. Its terrible because I am a therapist, and sit on a zoom call for 45 min to an hour and often have to move a lot. Lucky thing is that I am not in office any more because of covid, so most people don't notice since they only see my upper body online.

The only thing I don't read about which makes me concerned about other movement disorders is I have a full body vibration all day, also more noticeable at night.

Side note. Mom mom 87 has had RLS since my age (56), My brother had early onset parkinsons and I have a first cousin with MS. Also recently diagnosed with thyroid Hashimoto.

[Mum007]

Holland and Barrett sell gentle iron

[Munroist]

I used Holland and Barrett Gentle Iron 60mg (iron bisglycinate) to get my ferritin from 75 to 140. Seemed to help a bit but I suspect it needs to be over 200 or 300 to really work or maybe I'm one of those it doesn't help. Not the cheapest but easy to take and zero side effects. I take two tablets every other night with some vitamin C because of previous advice that it's better absorbed this way although there now seems to be some debate on that. However I effectively get the right dose over time.

[DicCarlson]

Ferrous bisglycinate chelate is a patented formula so, any brand will be the same as another. It is usually sold in 17mg - 28mg doses. I took it mid-morning away from food. It raised my ferritin level from 49 to 105 in 3 months.

[WideBody]

Liquid ferrous sulfate is my go to, but ferrous bisglysinate works too and has less stomach issues. Melatonin is a no-no, I took it for many years and stopped, I think stopping melatonin really helped my sleep.