Morning all, I previously messaged about my husbands severe rls a few weeks back and since then and with advice from this forum he started taking magnesium citrate, vit D 3 and oral iron supplements despite ferritin >100 at night. His rls symptoms have improved greatly which is so good, the PLM and rls are still there but he is sleeping and it is not as severe. Many thanks for your recommendations. My question today is you have previously recommended a probiotic lactobacillus plantarum 299 to help with iron absorption from the gut and have suggested symprove or vls. My husband has no problems with his gut, would you still recommend these particular probiotics for him or do you know if these ones are specifically for people with gut problems, also when is it best to take the probiotic in the day. Apologies for the mundane question but there is so much info when you try and look it up and nothing specific to iron absorption and probiotics. Really appreciate your knowledge and support.
Probiotic when taking iron supplements - Restless Legs Syn...
Probiotic when taking iron supplements
Congrats Mini, on helping your hubby. I think the best way to take iron is to use a kind called ferrous bisglycinate on an empty stomach about two hours before bed. This method causes my RLS to go in about 1.5 for one night. You see, RLS has less to do with ferritin and more to do with serum iron which plummets at night. So the best thing is for your husband to take some iron at night. By all means, try the probiotic. People on here have reported success combining the two.
Many thanks for your reply, he is taking the iron at night which has defo improved the severity of his rls, I was thinking that the probiotic might enhance the absorption of the iron further. It’s all trial and error and very individualised but forums like this one are so informative and supportive.
Yes take lactobacillus plantarum 299 with the iron as it helps the absorption of the iron.
DesertOasis's suggestion is to try taking it at night one time to see if that improves his RLS that night as it does for some, but you have already tried that.
However since that didn't work the normal advice is as follows:
If he take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with his doctor. Otherwise, take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate which contains 65 mg of elemental iron, the normal amount used to increase ones ferritin, or 50 mg to 75 mg (which is elemental iron) of iron bisglycinate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption. Ferrous sulfate is fine for most people, but if he has problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better.
Take it every other day, as more is absorbed that way 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 he takes 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.
He shouldn't take his 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. If he takes thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise one's ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.
Sue, the every night iron seems to be working for her husband. Not sure why you’re now telling her to have him take it every other night. Especially when ferritin levels have little to nothing to do with RLS. We literally have dozens and dozens of members with ferritin between 300 and 1200 who have raging, out of control restless legs. But you keep telling people it’s all about ferritin. If ferritin was a key player then those with low ferritin would have RLS 24/7/365. That’s just not the case.
She didn't say it stopped his RLS for the one night, which is what you say should happen only that "His rls symptoms have improved greatly" and she didn't attribute that to iron.
I quote: “Many thanks for your reply, he is taking the iron at night which has defo improved the severity of his rls”
He needs to be sure to take the right kind, at the right time and on an empty stomach. Every other night means relief every other night.
Well it won't hurt to take it every night.
Yep, a lot of good stuff on here. Btw, it’s ok to take around 50 to 60mg of the bisglycinate. 🌈✨
Mini, shame on me for not asking what drove your young husband to the DAs in the first place. Is he on an SSRI or calcium channel blocker or have any type of condition like chronic kidney disease?
No ssri, calcium channel blocker or kidney disease, tg! He went on DA originally for worsening rls but augmented on pramapexole.
That’s good news! Might be best to list any and all meds he’s on. We’ve found that even benign seeming drugs like PPIs and statins can worsen symptoms to a degree.
Hi again. How is your husband doing?
He’s doing ok, sleeping a bit better, rls is less ‘electric’ and he seems to be sleeping more restfully. It is definitely still there for about 2 hours when he falls asleep and the periodic limb movement but he’s not so aware, which is good for him! He is thankfully in no medications beside the supplements Mg, vit d 3 and iron sulphate. Unfortunately we are both a little insomniac from disturbed sleep and routine and dread nighttime but defo an improvement! Thank you for asking and advice
Ok, that’s good news. When you run out of the sulfate, I would buy ferrous bisglycinate instead and take 50 to 60mg. The magnesium, btw, should be taken during the day. Keep us posted!
Probiotics aren't only for people with apparent gastrointestinal issues. Everyone has a gut microbiome and the health of that microbiome varies greatly between individuals - just like the variance in observable physical health.
Taking probiotics (as well as prebiotics, healthy diet, exercise, stress reduction and avoiding medication) can improve the health of the gut microbiome. There's a question mark over whether probiotics actually work as stated however because of factors such as stomach acid, the fact they don't actually colonise the gut etc.
Knowing the right probiotic for an individual would require specific gut microbiome testing.
Probiotics are best taken on an empty stomach eg. first thing in the morning.
At a quick glance, Symprove doesn't appear to contain the Lactobacillus Plantarum 299 strain.
thank you, yes I was wondering what someone might recommend specific in relation to improving iron absorption. I understand your point about prebiotics being very specific to one’s own microbiome!
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Iron supplements and ferritin levels
Iron Infusion in the U.S.
Iron in the Brain not in the Blood
Berberine and iron?
Gastric Reflux and RLS
Related Posts
Iron infusions
IRON INFUSIONS AND GABAPENTIN HAS ELIMINATED MY RLS 
Iron Infusions
Probiotic to increase GABA and reduce glutamate
Restless legs and iron supplementsModeration team
