Iron Tests - Feedback Request

[Sami-M]

Have been taking 2 x 65mg Ferrous Fumarate with Vitamin C daily since November 2018, say 7 months.

Unfortunately the tests are carried out from different labs in different countries that use different ref ranges. The iron doesn’t appear to be substantially improved ? Please let me have your feedback. I’ve learnt here, that Ferritin should be optimised for T3 to do its job. I’m on T3 only.

OCT 2018 RESULTS :

Iron Serum 68 (60 - 180 ug/dl)

TIBC 341 (250-450 ug/dl)

% Saturation 20 (20-50 %)

Ferritin 22.9 (13 -150 ng/ml)

JUNE 2019 RESULTS:

Iron 68.5 (33 - 193 ug/dl)

TIBC 297.4 (255 - 450 ug/dl)

UIBC 228.9 (135 -392 ug/dl)

Ferritin 50.7 (10-291 ng/ml)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sami-M

When the ranges are different, you have to work out the percentage through the range where the result lies.

With your October results:

Serum iron: 68 (60 - 180 ug/dl) = 6.6% through range

With your June results:

Serum iron: 68.5 ((33 - 193 ug/dl) = 22% through range

TIBC for both sets of results the range is almost identical, UIBC and % saturation were not done both times so can't be compared.

Ferritin - although the range is different, the unit of measurement is the same. Some labs give a wider range for ferritin and I don't know why. However, your Ferritin has increased from 22.9 to 50.7ng/ml

So you can see there has been an improvement with your serum iron and your ferritin.

As iron tablets can take a long time to improve iron levels, it seems as though it's doing it's job and you just need to carry on. You could also add iron rich foods to your diet, particularly liver (maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content), liver pate, black pudding and other iron rich foods:

apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

[Sami-M in reply to SeasideSusie]

That’s so helpful to know, thank you a million, it’s put my mind at ease. Didn’t think of calculating the percentages within the range, learn something everyday here! I’ve read from friends here that Ferritin needs to be around 70 for optimal benefit so really hope I’m heading there soon.