Iron levels

[mclayton]

you said to post our iron levels . . . My Ferritin is 33.9. Iron is 83 . . . TIBC is 320 and Iron Saturation is 26, What should I do?

[SueJohnson]

Your ferritin is very low. I would ask for an iron infusion to quickly bring it up. If your doctor won't prescribe it you can also get one privately by paying for it, but it costs around £800.

Meanwhile if you take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with your doctor. Otherwise take two tablets of 325 mg of ferrous sulfate or 75 mg to 100 mg 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 or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets or after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, avoid a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible.

[Joolsg]

You have iron deficiency anaemia and need iron therapy.What has your doctor said? Has he/she arranged an iron infusion?

As you're in the USA, I don't know if you need your doctor to confirm you need an infusion for the insurance company to pay. But see your doctor to start the process.

In the meantime you can safely take ferrous bisglycinate every other day on an empty stomach with vit C to start raising serum ferritin.

[mclayton]

Can I take it with my pregablin? Thank you so much for all your help.

Mona

[Joolsg in reply to mclayton]

It's best to take iron a few hours apart from other meds on an empty stomach.UK experts advise taking iron first thing in the morning when hepcidin levels are lowest. The US experts and the Mayo algorithm advise taking iron last thing at night.

[SueJohnson in reply to mclayton]

It shouldn't be a problem.

[mclayton]

Thank you so much for all your valuable information.

Mona