IRON PANEL test, what exactly?

[MaxxRLS]

Sorry to ask rather than do my research. I currently have shingles and have a doc appt at 13:30 today where I want to request a ‘proper’ full IRON PANEL and want to make sure I ask for the right tests.

I have a longish post already on here which, amongst other things mentioned I had an iron panel test. Doc said iron was 106 but TSAT was 53% so said not to supplement and was referred to haematology. Never got that referral but much later Doc said they heard from haematology and there was no sign of Haemochromatosis so should be fine.

I wasn’t totally convinced as my GP is very ‘blase’ with little detail and if you get 5 mins you’ve done very well. I didn’t pursue with any iron supplementation

I did ask later for another IRON PANEL test but it came back (I asked for printout) and did not have Ferittin values or TSAT%

I will post what it did have in a follow up post.

Desperate for some relief from RLS and hearing good things re: iron supplementation I started a couple of week ago

I’m really just wanting to know WHAT figures I should be expecting from an IRON PANEL test so I can SPECIFY it to the GP I’m seeing. Another ‘new’ GP, if anyone read my other post they know there is no continuity, GPS come and go every 2-3 months. This will be the 6th in the last year.

UPDATE

I’ve just checked that last blood test results and I was mistaken, there is I think TSAT but no mention of Ferittin

The figures are:

Serum iron level (X76tH) 23 umol/L [9.5-29.9]

Serum transferrin level (XE2dx) [2.0-3.2]

Transferrin saturation index (XaERN) 37.4% [20.0-40.0]

So, if that is TSAT (looks like it) I am OK but that was before my recent iron supplementation regime (which I think I’m getting some relief from)

Thank you

[MaxxRLS]

I didn’t get a print out of my results from much earlier in the year when GP said TSAT was 53%. You don’t get them by default and I had probably 5-6 blood tests around that time, partly as I had a couple of other issues plus every ‘new’ GPs first step was to request them.

[Joolsg]

rls-uk.org/useful-resources

Show your GP the RLS-UK website.

It sets out a printable page on Iron Therapy which shows the tests required and the higher levels RLS patients need.

[MaxxRLS in reply to Joolsg]

Joolsg,

Thank you so much, I feel guilty for being so lazy but I’m trying to reduce any stress level as I know that’s going to make shingles worse.

Shingles tends to come with very bad headaches and the anti-virals are renowned for giving you severe nausea

[Joolsg in reply to MaxxRLS]

I was lucky enough to qualify for the Shingles Vax & had my 2 doses before starting my chemotherapy drug for MS.But I know Shingles is nasty & the anti virals.

Your RLS will play up with any viral infection.

I do hope you feel better soon.

[MaxxRLS in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Jools, I did take some paperwork over to the doc re: requesting a ‘proper’ iron panel test which he has requested. The appt was mainly to discuss my shingles which I seem to have caught early enough with the anti-viral med I had last year (and perhaps some residue of resistance after last years attack). He was not interested (mainly as not enough time) in reading any of the paperwork. He did dole out the ‘your iron levels are fine’ line and I tried to explain that RLS sufferers require much higher levels but he looked sceptical. At least he has put me in for the test. He is NEW (3 weeks) and doesn’t work all week (he hasn’t been given his work patterns yet). I asked if he was permanent and he just rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. He was clearly in a rush to see his next patient, I know they only allocate 10mins and I was there about 13-14 mins (I thanked him for allowing the extra time) … as he virtually bundled me out of the door LOL

On another note, my 2 outstanding referrals are ‘to be discussed’ at the surgeries ‘secretaries’ meeting (no date yet arranged) and I was told that the GP who owns the surgery who has been very poor for some months has now stopped clinical appts and just doing admin owing to ‘personal problems’

I was probably harsh in my comments if he has been suffering these for a while but that doesn’t help his patients.

I am currently looking into getting a private GP as I need some continuity and some action when it is promised.