Hi. Recently I did iron tests. Ferritin increased by 67 in a month. And now TSAT at high level 59.1%. Should I reduce iron dose? And do I need to continue to raise ferritin, but in smaller doses? (My everyday (huge) dose - 2x320mg iron sulfate in the morning and 2x25mg iron bisglycinate before sleep).
Ferritin - 174.6
Iron - 29.7 µmol/l
Transferrin - 2 g/l
TSAT - 29.7/2*3.98 = 59.1%
Thanks
Yes stop taking iron, It shouldn't be over 45%..
You were taking 258 mg of elemental iron which is way way too much. That is why your TSAT is so high. The normal amount is 65 mg so if your ferritin every goes down to below 100 and your TSAT is below 45% only take 65 mg.
There is 104 mg of elemental iron in each of your iron sulfate tablets and 25 mg in each of your iron bisglycinate ones.
Thanks Sue. My target was 250-300 of ferritin. Can I achieve it after TSAT returns to normal <45% with smaller iron doses? Does it make sense?
Iron supplements should be taken ONCE every OTHER day.Studies show that serum ferritin increases more quickly by taking supplements every other day.
But you should stop supplements until your TSAT reduces below 48%.
Possibly. This is what I usually advise. 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 helps its absorption. And you can also take apo-lactoferrin which 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.
And when you get your next test stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible.
Yes Sue I read all posts and your comments. I drank it with orange juice and probiotics and prebiotics on empty stomach. I wanted to replace infusion with high doses of oral iron. I read a lot of recommendations that oral iron don't work effectively if ferritin >100, but my body absorbs it instantly lol, I didn't expect such a strong result
I suspect you will struggle to get your ferritin much higher with oral supplementation and as others have said the general recommendation is that you do not supplement with iron via infusion if your TSAT is greater than 45%. If you reduce the iron supplements your TSAT may reduce and you can think about other forms of raising ferritin but it might be worth getting medical advice about your iron levels and the significance of TSAT before doing anything else.
I think I'll wait 2-3 weeks before another blood test to check TSAT again (without taking supplements). I see that supplements (in my case) are working great even with a high ferritin level, chart shows it well, otherwise I would be stuck at the same level. And as I understood, high TSAT means that body doesn't have time to absorb so much iron
"If you reduce the iron supplements your TSAT may reduce and you can think about other forms of raising ferritin"
I am interested in other forms of raising ferritin as in Munroist's post. I will do a google search but if there is a way known to anyone here I would be grateful to hear about it.
Thanks
Only two types - oral iron or infusion. An infusion is given if oral iron doesn’t help
Thanks -quantum, my problem seems to be that my ferritin is low but TSAT is 40.6 and consultant would not even consider an infusion. I find oral iron hard to take, awful side effects, even two 20mg iron bisglycinate (solgar gentle iron) is not ok.. just one 20 seems to be ok but I will be taking them for a long time I think at that rate. I have been researching and it's what I was recommended 58 years ago for anaemia, liver every day for at least two weeks as well as iron tablets. I know I don't eat enough meat, mostly fish.
Midnight, you should probably tell us, in addition to your ferritin, what medications you are on, ie, SSRI, calcium channel blocker, PPI, HRT, Metformin, as examples of drugs that exacerbate the symptoms of RLS. Plus, you might be an immediate responder. Meaning, you take that ferrous bisglycinate on an empty stomach about two hours before bed and in about 1 to 2 hours the RLS is mostly gone…for one night, so must be repeated every night. If you’re on an SSRI, or any of the aforementioned drugs, the iron is unlikely to provide 100% relief.
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