Pains - could it be iron suplements?

[Winegum2]

For the last week I've been getting increasing aches and pains. First in my hands and feet, then my arms and legs too, now all over. I've been taking 600mg of Ferrous Sulphate a day for a month now. Could it be that or just worse hypo symptoms?

[Clutter]

Winegum, Was FS prescribed for low iron or are you self-supplementing? Are vitD, B12 and folate good? Low levels can cause musculoskeletal pain.

[Winegum2 in reply to Clutter]

My ferritin was 18 back in October. The Dr was reticent to prescribe iron then because it was in range and recommended Spa Tone which I had been taking. Then about 6 weeks ago I started suffering from extreme fatigue. I couldn't walk normally as my legs were like jelly and I felt dizzy every time I stood up - I even collapsed one night when I got out of bed and whacked by head on the bedside table! I know that this is how I react to low iron, because after I had my last child, my ferritin went down to 8 and I blacked out every time I stood up. It peeked the day I went to see the Dr. which also happened to be the first day of AF. I felt very dizzy and my heart rate was up. He checked me over and because my temp was 37.3 said I had a virus! Anyway, I'd had a private BT the week b4 that showed FT4 mid range and FT3 low range, so my theory was that I wasn't converting well due to low iron. The Dr prescribed iron, but said there was no point retesting.

My B12 was 240 in Oct and I've supplemented since. Folate was fine. Vit D was 53.6, I've been supplementing that too and taking a multi vitamin.

[Clutter in reply to Winegum2]

Winegum, fool GP should have had you on iron long ago, not waited until you were fainting. Joint pain can be caused by high iron so a blood test to check levels 4-6 months after supplementing iron is a good idea.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

My Iron went up from 88 to 176 should I stop supplementing?

[Clutter in reply to marmaris]

Marmaris, if 176 is about half way through range you can stop supplementing. Yes, you have it right about the myelin sheath.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

Ok will stop Iron. I did stop but I am always afraid if it drops again. The range goes up to 300.

[Clutter in reply to marmaris]

Marmaris, it may drop if you stop supplementing but you don't want it too high either. Maybe just cut back to a small maintenance dose.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

I was originally on 210mg of ferrous fumarate what the doctor gave me 3 times a day. I stopped for a while but I will take one a day now. It is just that it stopped my hair falling out.

[Clutter in reply to marmaris]

Marmaris, it was low ferritin that caused hairloss and now levels are good hairloss has stopped. If you continue to supplement make sure to have a ferritin test every six months to check levels aren't too high.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

Yes I will make sure that I get checked out, thanks Clutter.

[Marylyn in reply to Winegum2]

Your B12 is way too low oral supplements are not absorbed.Google Sallys book Could it be B12 ? This is my hubby & I life saving book.We were both misdiagnosed as our levels were in normal range .Our dr the 15th I saw told us B12 should be >500 if we ate red meat which we did.We both have MTHFR a genetic mutation of B12 which causes a malabsorption disorder.Injections of b12 are required to prevent further nerve damage.

[Winegum2 in reply to Marylyn]

Thanks Marylyn. I have been taking sub-lingual B12 since about November. I'll get the Dr to re-test along with iron.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

Clutter since I have been taking Jarrows B12 sublinguals and patches I have noticed aches in my calves. Is this normal. My B23 was 247 dropped from 600's. I have read someone else's post that asked this and someone replied saying it was reaching the parts that needed it, and something to do with the mylelin sheath? Have I got this right?