There are 2 tests. Serum iron and serum ferritin. Many doctors don't ask for ferritin. That's the number you need. And as you discovered, tests always say 'normal' but RLS numbers have to be higher.
So this was a “full iron panel” as opposed to just ferretin which is what I’ve been getting from GP. I wonder what the difference is between it and serum iron. My ferritin from my recent GP blood test was low at 24.
Tell me about it! A neurologist should get off his backside and at least look up NHS & NICE guidance which clearly state serum ferritin should be above 75ųg. That's very Conservative and the top US experts want to see levels above 100ųg, preferably 200ųg.So your neurologist is actually negligent in not looking up the UK guidance on RLS!
The ONLY UK doctor I trust is Jose Thomas in Wales. He stopped prescribing dopamine agonists 10 years ago, does his own research and travels to Sleep conventions in USA. He is currently updating RLS treatment algorithms for the South Wales area.
I don't trust any UK neurologist. They're all still dishing out DAs and switching patients suffering augmentation to the Rotigitone patch.
My Ferritin was 49 with raging RLS - docs said nothing to see here! Raising it to 105 with Ferrous Bisglycinate. Normal is a huge range and that's what they see. Article on iron status...
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