Ferritin results

[Ragdoll1]

Hi, I had my blood test results back today and my serum ferritin is 30ug/L. No TSAT. Results tho. I've been prescribed ferrous sulphate 200mg. Not sure what 30ug/L means though can anyone enlighten me?

[SueJohnson]

ug/L is just the way they measure ferritin.

If you take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness.of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with your doctor.

Otherwise take two tablets of your 200 mg of ferrous sulfate or 75 mg to 100 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.

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 or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin.

If you can get an iron infusion it will bring your ferritin up more quickly an d will help you getting of pramipexole. If your doctor won't authorize one you can also get one privately by paying for it, but it costs around £800.

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.

[Ragdoll1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you, who knew iron supplements could be so complicated 😲

[ChrisColumbus]

That means that your serum ferritin level is 30 micrograms per litre, which is within the wide 'normal' range, but the majority of RLS sufferers benefit from a figure of over 100 trending towards 200.

Sue has given you advice on taking the iron supplement, but you should have had transferrin saturation (TSAT) measured as well as this should be under 45% (for a woman, under 50% for a man). While this hasn't been given to you, presumably your doctor has checked this as otherwise they wouldn't have prescribed the iron.