Hello,
My recent ferritin results was 21% of range, even though iron was 78%.
I did neglect iron the last few weeks a bit as I ran out of my usual iron tablets.
I have now Solgar's Gentle Iron 20 and iron in a liposomal form (gel) 20 mg as well.
How many should I be taking to raise it?
Thank you x
As I recently reported on here, there is wide variation in healthy ferritin levels reported. For example, about 70-150 is quoted for optimal health drhedberg.com/the-ferritin-... . The author also states "some women need to have a ferritin at 100 or above just to start seeing hair regrowth, to normalize thyroid function, and to really feel better", so similar to Isabella Wentz thyroidpharmacist.com/artic.... With figures averaging 66 ug/L i.e. 20% of NHS normal range, my mum's is a little bit lower than the above optimum.
At 144, my dad's is 31% of (Medichecks) normal range and my own was 78 i.e. just 13% of that range, having been 2x that just 6m earlier, indicating significant variation but all within 70-150. Note: none of us are on iron tablets but various other supplements e.g. B Complex.
Note also the recently reported experience of humanbean who rightly states "Too much iron is not good for anyone" healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you for this userotc!
It is interesting to read that ferritin is stored in cells, so what we see in blood is just a fraction of it I guess?
My ferritin is 45 in a range of 4.63-204, it was similar few months ago, with range up to 150.
Iron is almost 80%.
I have been told repeatedly to have ferritin midrange and higher to feel better, I have been supplementing for years, but it's been a struggle to get it to a higher level.
I am 38 and still menstruating so I know this can have impact since blood loss happens.
I have a friend whose iron and ferritin are just in range and she is feeling okay and not as lethargic as me.
As a man, Im possibly the last person on here to advise re menstruation! 😀But, as is often the case, a balance seems sensible with high serum ferritin being bad for that too kjfp.or.kr/journal/view.htm....
If you wish to pursue, Ive 2 suggestions:
1. Message a female on here who participated in earlier posts eg humanbean
2. See a qualified Nutritional Therapist specialising in female hormones (I have weblinks) who may help with other support besides the supplements you've tried eg diet.
Haha yes I understand, but still thanks for replying 😄 Would you be able to provide some weblinks if possible please?
Thank you!
You should be able to find a (probably female!) relevant, qualified Nutritional Therapist e.g. that specialises in female hormones or thyroid, from links below. Id suggest you avoid dieticians and ensure the NT is BANT-approved. Good luck.
theanp.co.uk/member-directory/
With high iron but low ferritin you need to increase iron rich foods in diet (rather than iron supplements)
Thanks SlowDragon, do you mean liver and pate?
yes
Red meat daily, plus orange juice to improve iron absorption
Avoid drinking tea after eating iron rich foods
Hello humanbean to the rescue! 😊 hope it's OK to tag you here! Would you be able to help with the above maybe please? I wonder about my lowish ferritin and solid iron results.
If there is a big imbalance between serum iron and ferritin with iron being much higher in range than ferritin it can be caused by a problem with MTHFR genes.
See the first reason given on this link :
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
The danger of taking iron when you have low ferritin and high iron is that you could end up with ferritin not changing much at all and serum iron rising very high or even going over the range. This would mean that you had lots of free iron in your bloodstream, and this would make it easier for any pathogens in your blood to reproduce, which is obviously not desirable.
Some people have found that improving B12 and folate with supplements of both of these in the methylated form (methylcobalamin and methylfolate) have altered the ratio of serum iron and ferritin to something more healthy i.e. lower serum iron and higher ferritin.
If you already have optimal levels of B12 and folate there are other supplements that can provide "methyl groups" without affecting B12 and folate.
A couple I know of are :
TMG (Trimethylglycine)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trime...
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methy...
Both the above supplements are easily sourced online in powder or capsule form. MSM contains sulfur/sulphur and so capsules would be more easily tolerated, and would smell less like bad eggs.
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