Iron test results

[Angie_Phalange]

Can anyone tell me if these are ok? Not ecstatic about the ferritin, would like higher to help hair loss. Thanks

Iron 16.8 (10-28 umol/L)

Transferrin 2.11 (2-4 g/L)

Transferrin Sat 30 (%)

Ferritin 59 (15-200 ug/L)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Angie_Phalange

Optimal results are, according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 37%

TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, high in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is low

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is a bit low

Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation; high level with low serum iron/low saturation indicates inflammation or infection; high level with high serum iron and low TIBC indicates excess iron; over range with saturation above 45% suggests hemochromatosis

[Angie_Phalange in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SS. Should I take iron supplementation? Can’t eat liver!!!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie_Phalange]

Angie

This is where I can't help. Iron is very confusing.

Your serum iron is low, your ferritin is low, your saturation % is a bit low, yet your Transferrin is low and it says low tranferrin indicates "lack of capacity for additional iron" which basically means you shouldn't take iron supplements.

It's possible that a full blood count and haemoglobin test would throw more light on it, would possibly indicate iron deficiency which can be with or without anaemia.

Have a read through irondisorders.org/iron-defi... especially the part How iron deficiency is detected and diagnosed

And if you look at this chart irondisorders.org/Websites/... it shows

Low serum iron, low saturation %, low TIBC/transferrin, low haemoglobin but high or normal ferritin - and this is the one closest to your results - indicates Anaemia of Chronic Disease when other factors of a full blood count match what they say.

More interpretation of tests here labtestsonline.org/tests/tr... and click on What do the test results mean?

So you can see there's a lot to iron which is why I don't suggest supplements, I don't know when they're appropriate.

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have this situation with iron and associated measures all the time. My TIBC has never been above 20% of the way through the range, but is usually much lower, including a couple of times quite substantially under the range.

I decided that since all the other measures suggested I needed iron then I would supplement. But I do test regularly to be sure I'm not going over optimal on the measures which suggest I need iron supplements.

I don't have a link and can't remember where I read or heard this, but low TIBC may be caused by a fatty liver. I've never managed to prove or disprove this.

I haven't regretted taking iron supplements. I just make sure that I test often enough so that I can adjust my dose as required.