Supplements

[Jonpaul0_1]

Looking for reccomendations of supplements to increase my ferrotin levels and slow my hair loss. Have started taking evening primrose tablets and better you iron spray a couple of days ago

Many thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Johnpaul0_1

Your first post shows a ferritin level of 30 (10-291). This is very low. Have you discussed it with your GP? Ferritin is recommended to be half way through it's range.

With a level that low, before just starting to supplement yourself, you should get an iron panel and full blood count done. Low ferritin can indicate iron deficiency anaemia which would require prescribed iron tablets.

You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes my doc wasn't too concerned even when I quoted optimal levels of ferritin to him regarding hair loss. Didn't want to give me iron tablets because of my bowel condition that's why I decided on the spray.

I'm due to see the nurse for bloods next week so I'll ask can they do full iron and fbc.

I don't eat a lot of red meat and couldn't stomach liver. Have been eating raw spinach- not a lover of cooked stuff.

I've got a medicheck test pack but I'll do that in a couple of weeks because I've only been on levo for a month. Teva aswell. Can I ask would I know about it if teva didn't suit me ? PhysicallyI feel fine just struggling with feeling sad and crying ...due to my hair loss mainly. Feel a bit bloated after eating and producing a bit more gas !! Should I stick with it ??

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jonpaul0_1]

I think people have experienced differing symptoms, but if you had a really bad reaction you'd know about it I'm sure.

It's possible the spinach is causing the bloating/gas

stylecraze.com/articles/ser...

livestrong.com/article/5295...

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Good articles thanks. Perhaps it is the spinach..I've gone from not eating it to eating a good handful a day. I think I should cut back and let my gut get used to it !!

[Kipsy in reply to Jonpaul0_1]

According to Michael Mosley on Trust Me I’m a Doctor recently, spinach provides the most absorbable iron when boiled! This goes against everything I’ve believed about cooking veg but apparently spinach is one where you actually need to boil (not steam) it to gain the most benefit. Eating it raw is not so beneficial. The programme also said that drinking tea and milk at the same time (something I avoid) did not have such a detrimental effect on iron absorption as coffee does. I don’t have a link but if you google ‘Micheal Mosley spinach iron’ it takes you to an article reporting on the programme.

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to Kipsy]

Hi kipsy thanks for the reply I will take a look at that I like Dr Michael Mosley seems to talk alot of sense. Glad to see the with milk isn't as bad as coffee I can leave the coffee but do love a brew !!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Jonpaul0_1]

Raw spinach contains oxalic acid which can block iron absorption - cook your spinach. Cashew nuts might be better for iron.

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks !! Just bought some cashews today and some Brazil nuts to boot. Will definitely cook the spinach from now on.

[MissSusan in reply to Jonpaul0_1]

My ferritin was 36.7 (20.0 - 130.0). I take liver capsules. It’s dried liver ground into a powder because I too cannot stomach eating liver unless in pate.

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to MissSusan]

They sound a lot easier to digest than eating liver. Might give those a whirl.

[Bramble83]

Following this as have exactly the same problem with handfuls of my hair coming out. My ferritin was 48 so not as low as yours- a Trichologist told me that I would need to get my levels up above 70 before it would likely stop falling out 😞

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to Bramble83]

Which isn't easy getting up to that level !! I guess it's a combination of things and with me because a couple of things have happened at the same time with me it's hard to pinpoint exactly what is causing hair loss. But a few more tests are needed and I'm waiting for my first bloods since starting on levo to get a better picture of where I'm at. Am trying to keep positive thoughts going but it's tough !!

[Hidden]

Have you had your Zinc mineral tested this helps with the growth of hair. Before you take any supplements please test first having the wrong balance of vitamins and minerals is bad.

[Jonpaul0_1 in reply to Hidden]

I'm hoping my docs will test my iron levels or if not the medicheck blood pack I've just ordered might do it ? Was thinking of taking some biotin would I need to be tested before taking those ?

[Hidden]

I actually don't know much about problems with the gut and taking biotin seaside susie is the person to ask OK?

If you are taking biotin you will have to check first before blood draw.