Iron Panel Results

[Molly161018]

Hello there, I'd be glad of some advice on my latest iron panel... results are below and comparisons with my last test 4 months ago. I have been taking 2 Solgar Gentle Iron 20mg tablets a day since then to raise my levels.

Iron - 17.12 umol/L (Range: 5.8 - 34.5) - this has gone up from 11.0

TIBC - 50.62 umol/L (Range: 45 - 81) - this is up from 45

UIBC - 33.50 umol/L (Range: 24.2 - 70.1) - not tested previously

Transferrin Saturation - 33.82 % (Range: 20 - 50) - up from 24%

Ferritin - 54.50 ug/L (Range: 13 - 150) - up from 37

I realize 2 X 20mg is quite a high dose - should I be looking to reduce to one tablet a day? I'm afraid I don't really understand the above results at all so would be really glad of some advice, many thanks 😁

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Molly161018

Optimal iron panel levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 39.72% (was 18.12%)

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 33.82% (was 24%)

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is 15.61% through range (was bottom of range)

Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation - yours is 30.29% through range (was 17.52%)

You have conflicting results because your serum iron, saturation and ferritin indicated that you would benefit from supplementing but your TIBC suggested you didn't. However, I would look at the serum iron and saturation over the TIBC (but I am not medically trained so it's just my opinion).

Your results have improved but they're still not optimal. If those were my results I'd be continuing to supplement and test again in 3 months to see if things have improved.

Here is the calculator to work out percentages chorobytarczycy.herokuapp.c...

I realize 2 X 20mg is quite a high dose

It's not really when you compare it to prescribed ferrous fumarate which is 65mg elemental iron per tablet and for iron deficiency GPs tend to prescribe 2 or 3 tablets per day.

[Molly161018 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks seasidesusie, that's really helpful. And yes that's true about the dose...I guess it's more that I'm a bit jumpy about the dose because I don't want to end up overdosed!

Re the conflicting results, you don't know of any condition or anything else that could cause this? Should mention to GP do you think?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Molly161018]

Re the conflicting results, you don't know of any condition or anything else that could cause this?

No idea I'm afraid. Iron is complicated.

Should mention to GP do you think?

You can mention it but I'd be surprised if s/he knows anything about it.

[Molly161018 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes that's what I thought as I typed it!! 🙄

[radd in reply to Molly161018]

Molly161018,

TIBC measures the level of transferrin proteins available for binding free iron in the body. Elevated indicates iron deficiency (excess proteins available for iron to bind to) and low indicates iron overload, which clearly is not true in your case in spite of your TIBC only 15.61% through range.

Therefore, your results are conflicting because you are supplementing iron quicker than your body is able to make transporter proteins. Even though you are on a fairly low dose supplemented iron can be tricky to absorb and utilise, and it is difficult to tell if there is some secondary anaemias, ie haemolytic (RBC being destroyed too quickly, etc ). Have you had a CBC?

We don't want 'free' iron and the aim is to have the right amount of protein carriers to bind iron and transport it to places it needs to go. How long have you been supplementing iron? Your serum iron & ferritin are going in the right direction, and hopefully the rest will equalise over the next few months.

My only suggestion would be to maybe change to a different type of iron that may work better with your body?

[Molly161018 in reply to radd]

Hello radd

Apologies for the delay in replying to your helpful comments...I was revisiting this post and realised I hadn't come back to you...

What is a CBC please?

I've been supplementing iron for nearly a year now (started with prescribed iron after my c-section but this didn't agree with me so moved onto gentle iron)

Do you have any recommendations of good brands of iron I could try? I'm taking Solgar Gentle Iron.

Would be glad of further advice thank you so much

[humanbean in reply to Molly161018]

A CBC is a Complete Blood Count. This is the name used in the USA.

The same test in the UK is called an FBC - a Full Blood Count.

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

[Molly161018 in reply to humanbean]

That's great thank you humanbean!

I'll see if I can get it done through my GP, but looks like there's one on medichecks otherwise

MT 🤗

[Molly161018 in reply to radd]

Hello there radd I've ordered a full blood count test, but looking back at your reply above I'm not sure if this is what you were suggesting I so or not...!! Will it help clarify what is going on with these iron panel results or how would it help? I'd be glad if you could advise, I'm pretty confused tbh...

[radd in reply to Molly161018]

Molly161018,

Sorry, I thought you were in America but humanbean has already advised their CBC is the same as our FBC.

This test gives indicators of how well your iron is being utilised by giving details on the amount of haemoglobin, the size, shape & capacity of your red blood cells and platelet count. Sometimes it includes white blood cells also.

By reading both an iron panel & FBC it gives better indication of possible iron deficiencies and anaemias. If your FBC produced relatively ‘normal’ results you could go further by having homocysteine & MMA tested (methylmalonic acid) as these indicate better the‘active’ B12 levels.

Your GP should perform the FBC. You shouldn’t have to pay for this standard test. Anyway, post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment. If you start a new post, more members will see it than if you tag it on the end here.

[Molly161018 in reply to radd]

Thank you RaddI have realized that I did in fact have a full blood count test in 2020. Results are as follows:

Total white cell count

Result

4.7 10*9/L

Normal range

4 - 11

Haemoglobin estimation

Result

129 g/L

Normal range

115 - 165

Platelet count

Result

235 10*9/L

Normal range

150 - 450

Red blood cell (RBC) count

Result

4.34 10*12/L

Normal range

3.5 - 5.5

Haematocrit

Result

0.410 ratio

Normal range

0.37 - 0.47

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

Result

94.4 fL

Normal range

75 - 105

I have no idea what these all mean, but were all labelled "normal". Can you assist at all with understanding these?

Would be glad of your advice. Mmt

[radd in reply to Molly161018]

Molly161018,

WBC’s are fairly low which is common in people with autoimmune conditions or other long term inflammation. The RBC results are good but this test was two years ago. For comparison I’m given a FBC three times a year for iron issues.

Your present iron results are going in the right direction, just not very quickly. Are you able to eat an iron rich diet as well as supplementing iron? The body readily absorbs some iron from foods much easier. I can't suggest what to supplement as have no experience myself. humanbean is knowledgable on supplementing iron. I have tagged her for you.