blood test back - any thoughts?

[Phantom38]

So now I am off all my meds, and started taking 200mg iron a night a month ago, my ferritin level just came back as 80, which I was quite surprised. The last one in 2020 was over 120. Should I double the dose and split it through the day or take 2 tabs before bed? Also my white blood count came back as much lower (3.6 vs 5 last year) - do any dopamine or prefab affect blood results? Just curious about the drop. Thanks as always for all your support in getting this far.

[SueJohnson]

How much elemental iron is in the one you are taking?

[Phantom38 in reply to SueJohnson]

thanks Sue - the description reads “The active substance is dried ferrous sulfate BP. Each tablet contains 200mg dried ferrous sulfate BP equivalent to 65mg ferrous iron.” - should I be taking something else? Open to all ideas to get my iron right. Looks like 65mg elemental iron

[SueJohnson in reply to Phantom38]

No that's fine. By the way you may know this but just in case you don't, be sure to take your iron with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. 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. If you take magnesium or calcium take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours.

[Phantom38 in reply to SueJohnson]

ok cool - will do that from tonight and up it to two tablets before bed, with some vitamin c, thanks Sue

[SueJohnson]

Definitely don't split it through the day. When you take iron, the body responds by releasing hepcidin a peptide hormone which prevents you from absorbing any more iron for up to 24 hours. Which is why also if you take it every day you want to take it at the same time.

[Phantom38 in reply to SueJohnson]

thanks - your advice helped, codeine helped the final drop, but it was pretty much hell for a couple of weeks as I came off my final dose, but I am glad I did it, as I realise now it would only get worse eventually, never better.

[SueJohnson]

If you just started taking iron a month ago you haven't given it time to affect your ferritin level. You shouldn't check your ferritin level for 3 months after you start taking iron tablets.

[Phantom38 in reply to SueJohnson]

ah ok, I guess I have a baseline now, my gp has offered to get me an iron infusion, but I think I would like to see Joe far I can get on iron tablets…

[SueJohnson]

It's possible you didn't follow the instructions for taking your ferritin test in 2020. If you didn't stop taking any iron tablets including in a multivitamin, or didn't fast after midnight, or didn't have your test in the morning it would show your ferritin was higher than it was.

[Phantom38 in reply to SueJohnson]

yes may be - this time I did it properly so it was maybe a truer reading