Decreasing iron levels despite taking iron

[jenny876]

My new iron test shows it is now 14.5 umol/l (5.8 - 34.5) and on 4th September it was 17.7 umol/l (5.8 - 34.5). I have been taking iron drops every day (except for period of time before each blood test). Is this normal?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I am no expert on this subject but it might depend what the strength of drops you have been taking are?

For instance something like Spatone is really a very low dose and won't make any much difference in a deficiency situation.

You could try taking them or a stronger product with orange juice or anything containing vitamin C to help absorption.

Also be sure to take anything containing iron 4 hours away from Levo.

[jenny876 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I am taking ionic Iron drops 22mgs x 3 drops daily with glass of orange juice. Currently taking Carbimazole 5mgs daily.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jenny876]

Different forms of iron work better for some people than others. You could try a product that many members have found very helpful. The website is awful but the product is good.

threearrowsnutra.com/en-uk/...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

your thyroid results suggest you have swung to hypo from hyper…….that will lower ferritin

[jenny876 in reply to SlowDragon]

Im still taking 5mgs carbimazole - do you think I should stop this? Im getting a TSH Receptor Stimulating Antibodies Blood Test done next Tuesday and have an appointment with a different endocrinologist in late November to hopefully discuss the possibility of block and replace. Also do I need to stop vitamins for the above blood test/ fast? Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jenny876]

Always stop anything that contains biotin 5-7 days before a test

But you won’t need to stop anything else

[jenny876 in reply to SlowDragon]

Im feeling really awful last few days and still taking 5mgs carbimazole - gp refuses to test bloods until 6 weeks have passed since starting carbimazole - the most recent tests I had done were private - you think i am now hypo?

could you please advise if you think i should stop the carbimazole and maybe start levo again? Desperate to know what to do. Thank you

[jrbarnes]

I took Thorne iron 100mg every other day. It increased my ferritin from 19 to 100 in a short period of time. What really helped to keep my levels from plummeting again was to increase my Levo during my menstrual cycle which lightened it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jrbarnes]

jrbarnes

You can’t chop and change dose levothyroxine

Perhaps you need permanent small dose increase in levothyroxine

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

From what I can see, that iron supplement is basically ferrous sulphate.

How much is one drop? It isn't clear from what I have found.

Many here find other forms of iron are better tolerate - whether a haem product or bisglycinate or whatever.

Regardless the form of iron, the secret is not to stop when you get to a good level, but to cut down to to a dose which just keeps your levels steady - long-term.

helvella - Iron Document

This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...