I thought I’d share these results as it’s so interesting seeing the effect of supplementation.
My ferritin has gone from 38 to 92.3 but now my iron is over range (and saturation). It looks as if I need to back off the Three Arrows Iron repair - I was using one capsule 4 times a week. This pic is the latest test. I’ll include the one from Feb in the comments.
Yes, share previous from Feb
Confirm you were one 4x a week for 4-5 months?
Are Feb 2024 and above the only two iron results you have ever had. Any previous results and corresponding iron intake regiment will be helpful.
The key is indeed to find the homeostasis of how much iron you need to ingest in order to maintain iron at 55-70% through range and transferrin saturation mid-range and definitely not over.
So yes, pare back, but track how much/how long so if you dip under you can recalibrate .
I thought I’d added Feb but I can’t see it now, so I’ll include again. Was taking one 4x a week from December.
Here is previous in November. I had been using one sachet of Spatone but switched to Three Arrows in December.
So I’m guessing the Spatone was 20 mgs of non heme. Arguably that is barely enough to matter for those of us with absorption problems.
That being said - your iron was at a good level in Feb, and now in July you’ve been at the top of the range/slightly over all this time.
It did give your body comfort to send lots to your ferritin stores, so that worked.
But remember that your body has no way to excrete excess iron. It accumulates in your soft tissues and organs, and at high levels for long periods it is toxic because of this. It’s a crazy thought - but yes, excess iron that accumulates when we are young and through the decades is in our bodies for our whole lifetime.
Your trick will be to find out how much iron you need to take in to maintain 55-70% through range for iron, and stay mid range for saturation - and not go over. Those are sufficient levels for your body’s daily functions, and when those needs are met, your ferritin will stay solid and not be depleted for daily needs.
You have terrific history showing how you absorb… now’s time to decide on your reduction and if I were you I’d test in 4-6 weeks. I am very conservative when it comes to iron, so I’m willing to be on the deficient side for longer just to work up to my optimal dose. I know others approach differently. So I’d probably do one Three Arrows 2x a week for 4-5 weeks. And then might end up adding to 3x a week if needed. I’d rather immediately drop the excess and then work back up to range vs. staying over range any longer.
Just sharing my personal experience and opinion.
Yes I agree. I’d rather be cautious.
Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply- it’s very helpful. 😘
So I’m guessing the Spatone was 20 mgs of non heme.
Spatone contains 5 mg of non-heme iron per sachet.
Ah! Even worse, thank you for the clarification!!! Is it too bold to ask who on earth would benefit from that?!
Is it too bold to ask who on earth would benefit from that?!
The people who sell it.
🤣 🤣 🤣 match point!!!!
This is just a suggestion. It doesn't work for everyone.
For some people, they can change the ratio of their serum iron and ferritin by increasing their intake of "methyl donors". These are usually supplemented by taking methylfolate to optimise their folate, instead of folic acid, which should be avoided by people with MTHFR gene problems, and methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin or one of the other forms of supplemental B12. Methyl-B12 is easily sourced online.
If folate and B12 are already at good levels then there are other supplements that can provide methyl donors that do not require a prescription.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trime... --- also known as TMG
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimet... --- also known as DMG
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methy... --- also known as MSM
The last time I checked all the above were available from Amazon and other sites selling supplements.
Thank you. So if, for example. I was to use MSM, this would be in addition to the Three Arrows iron (at a lower dose than previously)?
I think you ought to stop taking iron now, at least for about three months then test again. It's impossible for me to know how quickly your iron and iron-related results will drop once you stop taking iron.
Obviously it would be nice if your iron and saturation would reduce while your ferritin increased - but there is no guarantee that is what would happen. Taking methylfolate and methylcobalamin or the other things I mentioned might alter the ratio of your serum iron and ferritin, but the only way to know is to try it.
Love this 👆
Excellent point to suggest stopping the supplementing, and love acknowledging that the whole panel will likely drop but doing it anyway.
Lynneypin Your iron has been too high (even if right above target) for too long.
As I noted above (and we are all different) I have tolerated low ferritin symptoms (was in the single digits) while I have taken at least 6-7 months to go really low and slow.
In January I starting by eating 100-150%+ of the daily requirement of iron (about 18-25 mgs day). Didn’t help one bit. I then switched to one Three Arrows every third day, about 2 a week. I think I then went to one a day and I think my ferritin was in the 20s at that point, but my iron and TS% never went over. My last titration I increased to 2 a day - I am getting new bloods this week so we’ll see.
In my conservative approach (although HB bested me at it!) any long-term iron supplementation should start low and be accompanied by testing every 6-10 weeks while you are finding homeostasis.
Point being - you are learning how much you can ingest to hit target and not go over. Because any excess will accumulate in your body literally forever.
Vegovy 
Changing beta blockers
Help please itching all over
Help please
