iron at night

[Jammarie]

Rls / periodic limb movements for about 5 years. I’m 75 now and broken hip opened a Pandora’s box of symptoms. I would like to know more about taking iron at night.

[Madlegs1]

Every second night with vit c.

[SueJohnson]

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100 and some experts say it should be over 200 and even 300.

If your ferritin is over 50 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 you have problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better.

Take it every other day, 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, 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. 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 or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. 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.

If it is less than 50 you should ask for an iron infusion to quickly bring it up. If you can't get an iron infusion take double the amounts above. If you get an infusion get a new test after 8 weeks.

You can also try Clamine's suggestion. Take 56 mg of ferrous bisglycinate on an empty stomach before bed. For a few people this stops their RLS completely for one night only. If it doesn't take it every other night.

[Jammarie in reply to SueJohnson]

Ferritin was only 19 and trying to get at least to 100.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jammarie]

Wow - that is very low. Definitely try to get an iron infusion.

[Munroist]

Sue’s post has all the information you need but here’s another link anyway - see the iron therapy one page guide half way down the page.

rls-uk.org/useful-resources