Advice Iron

[Clara9]

Could someone help me explain please?

CRP <4 (0-6 mg/L)

Ferritin 94.4 (10.0-291.0 ug/L)

Serum Iron 17.4 (10.0-30.4)

Transferrin 2.40 (L) (2.50-3.80) This is under range!

% Saturation 32 (16-50 % )

What does these results mean? Shall I continue supplement iron or stop?

[Clutter]

Clara9,

I would stop supplementing iron and retest in 4 months to see whether transferrin changes.

A low TIBC or transferrin, or high transferrin saturation may occur if you have haemochromatosis (too much stored iron).

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

[Clara9 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks! Do you know how to treat for this? I have been taking cross fumarate for a year since I had low ferritin levels when diagnosed hypothyroid. If I stop the ferritin levels fall quickly again. ☹️

[Clutter in reply to Clara9]

Clara9,

Premature to consider treatment until iron overload is confirmed. First stop supplementing iron then retest in 4 months to check levels.

[Clutter in reply to Clara9]

Clara9,

Treatment for iron overload is regular blood draw (blood donation) but haemochromatosis would have to be confirmed first by seeing what your levels are after you stop supplementing iron.

[Clara9 in reply to Clutter]

But is it looking like iron overload? I thought that something was odd with low transferrin but didn't realise that it could be iron overload. My latest ferritin test on July was 112 and since then I've been supplementing with maybe 5 times a week ferrous fumarate.

[Clutter in reply to Clara9]

Clara9,

Your ferritin and iron levels don't look high to me but low transferrin can indicate iron overload which is why I suggested you stop supplementing iron. Retest in 4 months when you should get a better idea of what your iron status is without supplementing.

[helvella Administrator]

Clara9,

You might find it worth spending some time reading up about iron - and I suggest this as one possible site:

irondisorders.org/

[Clara9 in reply to helvella]

Do you also think it looks like iron overload? I thought that something was odd with low transferrin but didn't realise that it could be iron overload. My latest ferritin test on July was 112 and since then I've been supplementing with maybe 5 times a week ferrous fumarate.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Clara9]

Sorry Clara9 - I know little about iron - which was why I posted a link rather than try to interpret!

Have a look here regarding low transferrin:

urmc.rochester.edu/encyclop...