High Ferritin

[Littlegran]

I just had blood work after 2 infusions. My Ferritin went from 14 to 677. Is that too high?

[Madlegs1]

Anything under 1000 is ok.

Apart from the infusions, having an illness or infection will also raise ferritin.

[Littlegran in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs1. That is good to know.

[SueJohnson]

Nope - mine is that high.

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Is it that way normally, or after infusions?

[SueJohnson in reply to ID158]

Mine was just from taking iron tablets

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Impressive. I can't get anywhere near that number with Vitron-C pills.

[SueJohnson in reply to ID158]

That's probably because it is slow release which bypasses the area where iron is mostly absorbed.

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Ah, did not know that. What would you recommend?

[SueJohnson in reply to ID158]

This is my usual advice:

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. Ferrous sulfate is fine for most people, but if you have problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better. Also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption.

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 you take magnesium (or magnesium rich foods), calcium (or calcium rich foods) 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 turmeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. 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.

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

OK, thanks. So is the issue with Vitron-C that the 65mg of elemental iron is carbonyl iron (which is slow release) and not ferrous sulfate?

[SueJohnson in reply to ID158]

Yes because it is slow release. Any iron that is not slow release with the 65 mg of elemental iron would be fine. I just mentioned the 2 most common ones.

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Got it, OK, thanks.

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Regarding the vitamin C: Is it OK to take *more* than 100mg? So many of these supplements have more like 500mg or 1000mg per dose.

[SueJohnson in reply to ID158]

yes

[ID158 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks again

[Jauny in reply to ID158]

Did the infusions stop your RLS?

[Littlegran in reply to Jauny]

So far, yes!

[ID158 in reply to Jauny]

Unfortunately not.

[Littlegran in reply to ID158]

from infusions

[Joolsg]

It's fine. As Madlegs says, anything under 1000 is fine. It will drop substantially. Mine was 785 after my infusion and dropped to 450 within 3 months. It's now around 300, 5 years later.

[SueJohnson]

You got your infusion on 9/8. You need to wait 8 weeks before testing for your ferritin after an infusion, otherwise it shows higher than it really will be.

[BoldMove in reply to SueJohnson]

I take gentle iron (Iron glycinate) with vitamin C in the prep. It didn't help much nightly, but I started taking 2 on alternate nights and I've had many more restful nights. It's been working for me for nearly a year. Hope it continues.

[WideBody]

It’s best to wait 8 weeks till after the infusion then test. Any sooner and the numbers could be inflated. I went from 30 to 114. Iron sucrose.

[Noddedoffagain]

I have also had two infusions and like you my ferritin is now over 650. My GP is extremely anxious about this and is now checking me out for hidden problems like cancer. I explained that the infusions were for my RLS. Having said this, my RLS has not responded to the higher ferritin levels and severely affects me every single night. Makes you wonder if the answer to continual RLS is actually iron levels.

[TheDoDahMan in reply to Noddedoffagain]

I can dig what you're saying. I've come to believe that for some, iron is instrumental, but not for others. Unfortunately, the more variables, the more difficulties in finding one's personal remedy.

[JaggySr in reply to TheDoDahMan]

So true regarding variables and finding one's personal remedy! Also, I find my RLS to be episodic. One night it's waking me up a couple times and another, uncommon, night it's not a problem at all. I can't seem to figure that variance out (it's not from taking iron that evening, not particularly from caffeine or alcohol, and doesn't seem to be from sugar) -- although taking two Advil or one Tylenol before bed is one thing that I know helps, and how much I do or don't work out might be a factor.

But, my RLS is generally better vs 4 months ago, when I started working on it. It's not gone by any stretch, but it's probably 25% to 50% better. I suspect, but am certainly not sure, that it's from: My iron levels rising, B12 injections (weekly), 1x-2x a day Lidocaine patch on my back (where I injured my back 10 months ago and which caused my RLS to go from minor to severe), that I'm eating less sugar than I used to, and/or maybe some anti-inflammatories (although, I'm doubtful of that).

Eventually, I'll probably have to decide whether to switch over to Gabapentin.

Net: I hear you regarding the variables! Yet, for a while, I just wanted to throw everything at it to get relief. Now, I might need to take one thing away at a time to see what is really helping.

[DesertOasis in reply to Noddedoffagain]

Ferritin has little to nothing to do with RLS. It’s more about serum iron. And even raising that at night as I do is only a band aid.