Iron & PLMD

[drover123]

I had an iron panel done a while back, is there any explanation or link to PLMD & the transferrin % being so high? My ferritin test from about a month ago was 200ug/l & had previously been about 250ug/l. I did start regular b12 jabs around the time of the 250 test,so that might account for the ferritin drop (making new red blood cells etc..)

Iron 24/11/23 ----23--- (12-31) umol/L

Transferrin 24/11/23--- - 52%--- (20-55%)

Total iron binding concentration 24/11/23- 44---- (41-77) umol/L

Unsaturated Iron binding concentration 24/11/23- --- 21---- (12-43) umol/L

I started gabapentin this week to try to get the PLMD under control so early days there but couldn't get any answer from my GP about the transferrin & these were private tests not NHS ones.

Thanks for any input & advice

[SueJohnson]

You need to see a hematologist.

[Joolsg]

I agree with SueJohnson. Your iron is low, but your transferrin is high. Your serum ferritin is about the right level.

Iron therapy is first line treatment for RLS and PLMD, but not when transferrin is high. So do ask for a referral to a haematolgist and discuss how you can safely raise serum iron & serum ferritin.

[drover123 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for the reply, i will try to get a referral when i speak to my doctor in a few weeks time. Do you really think my iron is low? It is in the middle of the range? Or are you going from the iron saturation levels? I tried understanding the saturation but couldn't get my head around it to be honest.

[Joolsg in reply to drover123]

The experts in the USA make it clear that 'normal' or 'in range' results do NOT apply to RLS and PLMD.We need serum iron to be above 60ųg/L and serum ferritin above 200ųg/L.

Your serum ferritin can be 'falsely' high because of infection or inflammation.

A good haematologist will be able to interpret your results better than a GP.

[ircam2112]

I’ve had PLMD for 20 years and have monitored my iron/ferritin, etc and have found no relationship between them. Hope it’s different for you.

[fritzb43]

A ferritin of 200 is good, however it still may be too low for you. I had the least symptoms when my ferritin was about 300-350. And it will vary.