Ferritin test while taking ferrous fumarate?

[lisan1]

I need to have my thyroid test done and they will test my ferritin levels at the same time. I forgot not to take them 1 week before test. Will the test still be usable or will it be too scewed?

[Clutter]

Lisan1,

I'm not sure why people say to stop supplementing iron for 1 week because it takes 4 months off iron to get a baseline result to see how well you're holding onto it. Your test will show how much ferritin you have and you can then decide whether to increase dose or stop supplementing. Don't take the iron before your blood test though.

[lisan1 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you so much!

[humanbean in reply to Clutter]

"b) For iron, we learned to be off for 5 days based on information from the Iron Institute, i.e. to see what we are “holding onto”."

Source : stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

I wish STTM would actually give the source they are using. I've searched the iron disorders site and can't find what STTM is claiming.

irondisorders.org/

But I would still stop for 5 days myself.

----------------

The NHS has this to say on the subject :

Iron blood test

Iron blood tests are usually taken in the morning before you eat anything. You should also avoid taking iron pills or tablets for 24 hours before your test. Your body absorbs iron very quickly from food or pills, so this can raise your iron levels and affect the test results.

Iron blood tests help diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia (lack of red blood cells caused by low iron levels).

Source : nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1018.aspx?...

I find it laughable that it says Iron blood tests are usually taken in the morning while fasting. I've certainly never been told to do iron-related blood tests that way by the NHS.

[Clutter in reply to humanbean]

HB,

I think STTM are full of excrement at times.

The NHS advice to leave 24 hours between last dose and blood draw makes sense. Looking at people's iron and ferritin results on here I can't agree that iron is absorbed quickly at all.

[humanbean in reply to Clutter]

I just found a reference to 5 days on the iron disorders site. And it referred to STTM as a source, which was very useful, I'm sure.

But I did find this from the American Hemochromatosis Society :

A simple series of blood tests which can be performed by any doctor or lab can indicate iron levels. They must be proper iron measures: Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) together with Serum Iron. Divide TIBC into Serum Iron to get the percentage of transferrin saturation also known as % of saturation.. It is important that the serum ferritin is also performed at the same time and it should be done, if possible, while fasting. Refrain from iron pills for a week prior to the tests.

Source : americanhs.org/faq.htm

[helvella Administrator in reply to humanbean]

Perhaps Paul from BlueHorizonMedicals would be able to give their view?

[BlueHorizonMedicals]

My view on Ferrous Fumerate or stopping taking supplements and medications in order to get a "natural" result?

Ferrous Fumerate is quite grim in liquid form (resembling liquid rust) but may work better in some than others - it also has good bioavailablity.

Regards stopping something in order to get a "natural" reading I am unable to advise - everybody is different and patients should really consult their own doctors for advice on this, especially if a patient has been prescribed something they should be taking.

Sorry I can't comment further

Paul.