How to increase ferritin level for a non meat eater.

[Clara62]

I've just received my iron blood test from Blue Horizon:

IRON 20.8 umol/L 6.6 - 26.0

T.I.B.C 48 umol/L 41 - 77

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION 43 % 20 - 55

FERRITIN 57 ug/L 13 - 150

I know that ferritin it is not optimal for people with hypothyroidism, since I don't eat meat do you know other 'healthy' way for me to increase the ferritin level? (Supplementation, food..)

Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Iron rich foods listed here:

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

bda.uk.com/foodfacts/iron_f...

[Clara62 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie. Do you also happen to know about supplements?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Clara62]

No, sorry, I don't recommend supplements because iron is complicated. Here are the optimal levels for an iron panel according to web.archive.org/web/2018083...

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men

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 are:

IRON 20.8 umol/L 6.6 - 26.0 - 73% through range so highish for a female

T.I.B.C 48 umol/L 41 - 77 - 19% through range so indicates lack of capacity for additional iron

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION 43 % 20 - 55 - yours appears to be optimal

FERRITIN 57 ug/L 13 - 150 - this is recommended to be half way through range

I'm not an expert but the way I interpret your results is that supplementing with iron tablets is not indicated, it's just that your ferritin (iron store) is on the lowish side. I don't know how you improve that without affecting the rest of your iron panel.

[Clara62 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks again SeasideSusie. I might just leave things as they are until I know more about how to improve only ferritin...if that is possible!