Iron and magnesium levels plus

[GreyMaus]

Hi everyone. I recently had blood tests done as suggested and results have come back showing slightly low magnesium level at 0.68mmol/L and serum ferritin level of 60ng/ml. (Low?) I've been asked to go back for retest on the magnesium but no mention of the iron? Looking back on my test results I had the serum ferritin checked in July 2017 and it was 63ng/ml then so has gone down even more. The Transferrin saturation index was 25% which I think is ok? Strangely enough, my RLS began to become a problem in 2017 and that's when I started Pramipexole, which I'm trying to come off now. With regard to that, I spoke with my pharmacist (after my nightmare reduction advice from GP!) who admitted he didn't know the best way to reduce the dose other than crush the pill and remove a minute amount. He did suggest speaking to my GP about the possibility of having it converted to a liquid with a dropper which seems more accurate. Anyone else had any joy with that? At present I'm back on my normal dose until I can get advice and support with withdrawal from GP. I'm going back armed with the Mayo Clinic Algorithm etc! Thanks folks!

[GreyMaus]

Did have to smile at one of tags afforded my post - "contraception"!????? As a 64 year old female that's not something I thankfully have to worry about! 😊

[SueJohnson]

On the low ferritin which you want over 100, if you can get an iron infusion, that would be best. If not 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. Ferrous sulfate is fine for most people, but if you have problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better. 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. Since you will need to take magnesium, take it at least 2 hours apart since it interferes with the absorption of iron. The same with calcium and zinc, even in a multivitamin. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after. Don't take your iron tablets before or after exercise since inflammation peaks after a workout, don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months if you take iron tablets or after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion.

With the low magnesium I would advise you to take magnesium glycinate at night starting with a low dose until you see your doctor.

If you start taking gabapentin take the magnesium at least 3 hours before.

Yes converting pramipexole to a liquid has been done by others and is a good idea.

[GreyMaus in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks SueJohnson, that's all really helpful as always. 😊

[Bluepainter in reply to SueJohnson]

If you take the iron at night is it ok to take it with gabapentin? I usually take my iron mid afternoon but it’s a bit hit and miss remembering if other things are going on.

[Somebody77 in reply to Bluepainter]

It has to be taken two hours apart from Gabapentin. I have alarms going off telling me when I can eat, when to take iron and when to take gabapentin 🤣🤣🤣

[Bluepainter in reply to Somebody77]

I’ll stick to the afternoon then! Thanks for the reply.

[SueJohnson in reply to Somebody77]

See my reply on this question to BluePainter.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bluepainter]

Yes it is OK to take at the same time. I think Somebody77 is confusing it with magnesium which should be taken 3 hours apart even in a multivitamin or calcium which should be taken 2 hours apart.

[Somebody77 in reply to SueJohnson]

Omg so I can take iron and gabapentin at same time? This will be so much easier!! X

[Joolsg]

Your GP will not be able to help with reduction guidance or iron levels as they aren't taught RLS.You can get a compounding pharmacist to create a liquid from Pramipexole and reduce by very small amounts over a long period.

As your serum ferritin is below Mayo and NHS/NICE levels for RLS, you should push for an iron infusion. Several haematologists are now aware of the link to RLS.

Prod. Walker at Queen Sq and Dr Jose Thomas at Gwent Sleep Clinic will both arrange iron infusions. Dr Thomas won't prescribe meds until iron infusions are done first.

NHS waiting lists are over 13 months for neurology at present,so you may have to consider paying privately.

[GreyMaus in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg, really helpful as always. 😊

[DicCarlson]

I had raging RLS with a Ferritin level of 49 - docs said "nothing to see here - you're normal" . Oral supplementation with ferrous bisglycinate chelate eliminated the severe RLS almost immediately - ferritin rose to 105 in 3 months. Thanks to this forum I never took DAs which were waved at me repeatedly.

[AmyMac5]

I'm another of the lucky ones whose life was changed by following the advice on this forum.

I had been given Pramipexole by the GP- I took one tablet that night, googled it the next day, found this forum, started on the iron and never touched a DA again.

Like DicCarlson I upped my ferritin from 55 to 115 in around three months with gentle iron (I use Solgar brand). Haven't had it checked again but continue to it. Along with co-codamol 30/500 at night (which I'd been taking for years), I no longer have any problems with RLS.