Iron to alleviate RLS symptoms.

[Aurora913]

Have had RLS for over 60 years. It has gotten worse the last 20 years. I want to take iron to help but my dr has no clue as to how much to take, if it will work, etc. Anybody out there taking iron which is helping and how much should I take? Thanks, Judith

[SueJohnson]

Have you had your ferritin checked? Is that why you want to take iron? If you haven't, when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45%. If your transferrin saturation is OK, then if your ferritin is less than 75 take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate or 25 mg of iron bisglycinate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it every other day, preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption. Ferrous sulfate is cheaper and for most people does not cause constipation but iron bisglycinate is much less likely to. If your ferritin is between 75 and 100 or if your transferrin saturation is below 20, you may need an iron infusion since iron isn't absorbed as well above 75. If you take magnesium or calcium take them at least 2 hours apart since they interferes with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before you take iron or at least 2 hours after..If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion or after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets.

[JohnThurloe]

I have had RLS for 60 years too. Physicians don't know the first thing about Iron medicaments. Many common forms of iron supplements have deleterious effects. Somehow, the writer below, SueJohnson, has discovered "iron bisglycinate" aka 'iron chelate'. However, the rest of her advice is bilge.This simple, elegant organic form has no match for efficacy and freedom from adverse effects. Albion Laboratories in Utah is the go-to place for knowledge about this. Never, ever touch ferrous fumerate.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to JohnThurloe]

While I'd always recommend ferrous bisglycinate, aka Gentle Iron, please supply evidence for your statement that 'common forms of iron supplements have deleterious effects', and not just a promotion for Balchem’s Albion® Minerals brand.

[JohnThurloe in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Do your own research.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to JohnThurloe]

I have. You've made much too broad a sweeping statement, exaggerating the issues with forms other than bisglycinate.

Yes, ferrous bisglycinate is known as Gentle Iron for a reason, and yes most other forms tend to have differing bio-availability and varying side effects - but not serious enough to just chalk them off as 'deleterious' and rudely describe the whole of a member's contribution as 'bilge'.

If you have real evidence about serious dangers in specific iron supplements just lay it out.

[JohnThurloe in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Not re-inventing the wheel here. The matter has been very well documented and over a long time. The cost of admission to knowledge is a willingness to apply oneself.

[Joolsg in reply to JohnThurloe]

Rather rude for your first comment on this site.Sue didn't discover ferrous bisglycinate, it has been recommended on this forum for the past 12 years because it has fewer side effects than other formulations & helps many people on here.

Sue is simply passing on that helpful information.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Joolsg]

I THINK he's saying bisglycinate good, that Sue must have hit on this by accident, as most other forms are bad. But I may have got that wrong. Albion/Balchem promote and sell Ferrochel® - ferrous bisglycinate chelate - and say e.g. "Inorganic iron supplements, such as ferrous sulfate, have low bioavailability and can cause gastric upset."

[Joolsg in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Yep it was the sentence about the rest of Sue's advice that was rude.

[JohnThurloe in reply to Joolsg]

This debate about the qualities of iron supplementation has been going on for 50 years. And, the substance has not changed one iota throughout. Too many patients are routinely advised by unqualified physicians to use products with little efficacy and /or harmful effects. While much better alternatives were available. Albion has been a pioneer but there similar manufacturers and other good forms. The scandal is that bad practicies exist.

I hope you find this 'rude'

[DicCarlson in reply to JohnThurloe]

FYI - Albion was sold to Balchem some time ago.

balchem.com/

[Munroist]

I have followed standard advice and raised my ferritin from 76µg/L to 176µg/L over a year or so. It hasn’t eliminated my RLS but I feel it has improved and I am less restless and wake fewer times. I take two 20mg tablets of iron bisglycinate every other night with a bit of vitamin c. There is some debate over whether that regime is any better than simply taking a normal dose every day but I’ve seen reasonable arguments for both so it’s not cut and dried and the evidence is that I has helped me.

[DicCarlson]

Well, I had severe RLS - probably due to a head injury some 10 months prior. And it was severe with NO sleep (2-3 hours/night) for many months. Of course my docs knew nothing. I discovered the iron connection on my own, mostly from this forum and Johns Hopkins Neurology website. My Ferritin was 49, % Sat was 20% I remember trying a home remedy, blackstrap molasses (it contains a small amount of iron). It immediately "cut into" the RLS. I soon discovered ferrous bisglycinate chelate and never looked back! Ferritin rose to 105 in 3 months with daily supplementation. Actually the severe nature of the RLS was gone in a week! The bad side effects of other iron supplements are generally constipation. I found Ferrous Bisglycinate to be innocuous. I took it mid morning away from food or supplements.

[Joolsg]

mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Show your doctor the Mayo Algorithm. It sets out when supplements/ iron infusions are required.

[Eryl]

Low iron is probably not the cause of your rls but is merely a marker and a symptom of the real cause which is chonic systematic inflammation. I asked ChatGPT about the connection between inflammation and low iron levels and this is what it had to say:

"Inflammation and low iron levels are often related, but the relationship can be complex and multifaceted. Inflammation is a natural response of the body's immune system to infection, injury, or tissue damage. During inflammation, immune cells release various cytokines and other molecules that trigger a cascade of reactions designed to protect the body from further damage and promote healing.

One of the effects of inflammation is to increase the production of hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron metabolism. Hepcidin works by reducing the absorption of iron from the diet and blocking the release of stored iron from cells. This is an adaptive response because iron is essential for the growth and survival of many pathogens, so limiting its availability can help the body fight infections.

However, if hepcidin levels remain elevated for a prolonged period, it can lead to iron deficiency, particularly in people who already have low iron stores or increased iron requirements. This is because the body may not be able to absorb enough iron from the diet or release enough iron from storage to meet its needs. Inflammation-related iron deficiency can also occur in people with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic infections.

Therefore, while inflammation is a natural and necessary process in the body, chronic inflammation can lead to imbalances in iron metabolism that can result in low iron levels. If you are experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency or have a chronic inflammatory condition, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and the best course of treatment."

Chronic systematic inflammation is most commonly caused by eating processed foods like white bread and other similar wheat based products and refined sugars. Inflammation can also be caused by the ingestion of refined seed oils like canola oil or sunflower oil.

[Mikeca]

sibo diet and refaxamin, which gp is unlikely to issue but gastroenterologist will. . you will need hydrogen/methane test. after 28 years of restless legs / whole body including head.im free. please see gp and don't be fobbed off.