iron levels: I had my iron and ferritin... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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iron levels

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I had my iron and ferritin levels checked. My iron was 126, ferritin was 65 TIBC 34%. Transferririn was not checked.

I’m not sure about raising the iron levels too high. How high can one safely go? My Dr. Is suggesting 65 mg of iron every other day and recheck in 3 months.

As luck will have it Iwas accepted into an 8 week RLS study so have to wait until that is over( testing a wearable electrical stim device).!

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SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

Did you get a figure for your TSAT? Your doctor was correct in his suggestion. You want your ferritin to be at least 100. as this helps 65% of people with RLS. To elaborate on them. Take the iron with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach. If you have problems with constipation switch to iron bisglycinate. When your your ferritin is raised to between 75 and 100 or if your transferrin saturation percentage (TSAT) is below 20, you may need an iron infusion since iron isn't absorbed as well above 75. If you take magnesium take it at least 2 hours apart since it interferes with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron.

WideBody profile image
WideBody

You MAY be in luck. I don't think your TIBC was 34%, it is usually a number between 240 and 450 (IIRC). 34% is probably the Transferrin Percentage.

Do you have the exact wording from the test?

in reply to WideBody

I mixed those up the iron saturation was 34% the iron binding was 344

WideBody profile image
WideBody in reply to

Iron looks good, did your do the test in the morning and did you do it fasted?

I would be really interested in hearing how the new device works or doesn't. Please keep us informed.

in reply to WideBody

I start the trial on 10/15. I will be fitted with the device. Each participant will have three weeks with a sham device, three weeks with the actual device. Neither the examiner or I will know which is which. They will monitor sleep using a watch. That’s phase 1. If it goes to phase two, it will involve two sleep studies, one with, one without the device. I hope they get some good information with this study. After a really rapid episode of augmentation, I’m wary of medications now.

WideBody profile image
WideBody in reply to

May I ask, where are you located? I am in Oregon.

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