Iron lab test results

[guysgrams]

my iron was 79 (55-170) iron saturation 24 (20-50) iron binding capacity 333 (250-450). Is my iron considered low? My ferritin was 139 (10-120)

[humanbean]

I'm no expert, but if there is anything wrong at all I would think you were suffering from a fairly mild case of Anaemia of Chronic Disease which is triggered by inflammation somewhere in the body. Certainly with a high/over-the-range ferritin you would be well-advised NOT to supplement with iron.

irondisorders.org/Websites/...

irondisorders.org/anemia-of...

There is lots of useful info on that site ^^

If my suggestion is correct, one place that people commonly get inflammation with thyroid disease is in the gut. How is your gut health?

[guysgrams in reply to humanbean]

Could be better. I was advised in another post to stay away from gluten. Which I will have to start doing.

[humanbean in reply to guysgrams]

I'd definitely agree with eliminating gluten. It isn't necessary to have coeliac disease to benefit from doing it. I only went gluten free earlier this year. I really, really didn't want to do it. But I found I got benefits from doing so, so I'm stuck with it.

[guysgrams in reply to humanbean]

thanks

[Heloise]

You could compare your results to these optimal suggestions.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

[guysgrams in reply to Heloise]

thanks

[ianessex]

Your iron levels look good but make sure you eat a good diet with iron,, but I'd say there's no way you need to take any more.

[guysgrams in reply to ianessex]

Thanks

[Hidden]

That's an unusual lab range, very interesting. Where were you tested? Was it private medicine? Are you in the UK? The ranges for serum ferritin are hugely unsatisfactory. The fact that it is different doesn't mean to say it is wrong. It might have a better evidence base than the ones currently used elsewhere.

Do you think you have any inflammatory condition? The body reacts to viral or bacterial infection by storing iron in the blood to starve the invaders out.

Have you been taking iron supplements?

Personally, I would say iron is not your problem, and I would also say, don't take any more iron supplements or even general vitamin supplements with iron in them.

Your body is telling you that it doesn't want more iron for the moment.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

PS, guysgrams - are you male or female? Heavy beer drinking has also been associated with high serum ferritin - that would be the jolliest reason for it. Not that women don't drink beer, but I would think it's a bit more of a male pastime.

rcpa.edu.au/.../c047c27e......

Quite a bit here, but even this isn't necessarily gospel truth.

[guysgrams in reply to Hidden]

I am female, hardly drink any kind of alcohol at all. Do not take any kind of supplements that have iron in them either and haven't for many years. I am not sure about an inflammatory condition. Have had no infections that I am aware of. I was tested here in the U.S. in Arizona.

Thanks for the reply.

[ianessex in reply to guysgrams]

I didn't realise you were from U.S. ,, I put the lab range for uk on . Have edited it now,,

[Hidden in reply to guysgrams]

Eat lots of meat? Post menopausal? (You don't have to reply to that!! - but after the menopause iron store levels rise in women because we're not having periods. I'm off iron as a result.)

It's a bit high if you are not taking supplements and are below the age of menopause. Might be worth raising with your MD when you see h/her next. Don't be alarmed - 150 is usually accepted as the top ferritin level in the States. Lower is conservative. Hmm, but still maybe worth raising.

[guysgrams in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info. I guess I do eat a lot of meat and am 64. Hysterectomy 7 1/2 years ago.