I found some information below about Ferritin and Iron - it is from the Dr Mercola website.
I have just had my ferritin levels and iron levels checked - The Doctor said they were a bit on the low side so I am taking some gentle iron. My ferritin was 50.9 - I never heard of ferritin before having RLS - Are there any over the counter remedies does anyone know ? Thank you. Article follows ................
High iron is an under-recognized health threat. There’s a general lack of awareness in the medical community regarding the potential health risks associated with high iron levels
A ferritin level above 100 typically means you're either inflamed, have high iron, or both. A level above 200 is considered pathological. The higher your ferritin level, the shorter your lifespan. You’re also more likely to die of a heart attack and cancer
Left untreated, high iron levels can cause liver damage and an increased susceptibility to certain diseases, including infections and cancer
Lab tests that can help diagnose iron-related conditions such as hemochromatosis include a full iron panel, a complete blood count (CBC) test, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and a comprehensive metabolic panel to ensure you have sufficient liver enzymes. Measuring your copper and ceruloplasmin levels can also be helpful
The easiest way to lower your iron is to donate blood on a regular basis. Natural supplements such as curcumin, silymarin and alpha-lipoic acid can also help prevent from continuing to accumulate iron from your food
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Summer194
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"Overall, we rate Mercola.com a Quackery-level pseudoscience website that sometimes advocates for dangerous, inaction or action, to serious health issues."
Haemochromatosis is real, but not at the normal ferritin levels that he suggests. There have been long term questions about health 'advice' from osteopath Mercola - this from 2009:
His take on ferritin levels is laughable. I had ferritin of 1500 and am still living!???🥱. According to Mr M I should be having a nice long sleep in my little wooden box.
I hope you are taking 50 mg to 75 mg of gentle iron which is the normal amount used to increase ones ferritin. Take it 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. And as I mentioned before take your iron a few hours apart from blood thinners to avoid interactions. If you take magnesium, calcium or zinc, even in a multivitamin take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. 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.
Thank you Sue (and all) for your comments. The iron tablets I am taking come with additions such as folic acid / Ferrous fumarate / Vitamins B1 & 2 / Nicotinamide / Vitamin D / Calcium lactate / and Ammonnium molybdate. This is what I got in a bottle when asking for gentle iron tablets ! (I am still in Thailand by the way). I have been taking them for a few months at a later time than I do other meds / vitamins, as you suggested and I am guessing that this plus increasing magnesium to 400mg and Vitamin D3 to 5000 mg is working to bring my RLS down to around 15-20% - and sometimes almost zero ! As ever it feels like experimentation, but perhaps my improvement could also be experienced by others if doing the same or similar.
That iron type is not what is known as gentle iron in the UK nor US. Does it give the mg of the ferrous fumarate and what is the name on the bottle? The calcium in it will interfere with the absorption of the iron. You would be better off looking for ferrous bisglycinate and taking 50 to 75 mg and getting the others in a separate preparation that you take 2 hours apart from the iron.
Thanks Sue - The main name is in Thai but there is an English 'Ferro-vit' on the bottle. I will search for a stand alone supply of Ferrous Fumarate as you suggest.
I would look for ferrous bisglycinate instead as the mg on the label is the elemental iron. If you can't find it then look for 210 mg of ferrous fumarate.
I used to follow Mercola for his fitness advice - but man he made a dangerous turn - now lots of conspiracy stuff. Iron deficiency is a world wide problem. Too much iron, not so much. I had raging RLS with a ferritin level of 49. Supplements literally stopped the severe RLS in a week! Level rose to 105 in 3 months.
I got an infusion of 200mg of iron sucrose x 5. Since then I have been taking over 500% of the RDAof iron on a daily basis for years. My ferritin is around 150.
I am never going back to a ferritin of 30.
Now let’s talk about some important stuff. Ferritin is just one number. There is a number some experts think is more important. Transferrin Saturation Percentage is a measure of iron stores. If TSP is less than 20% an infusion should be considered regardless of ferritin levels.
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