Can an excess of iron create restlessness? Graves. - Thyroid UK

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Can an excess of iron create restlessness? Graves.

Nathalie70 profile image
13 Replies

Hello,

I have Graves disease and my last blood test 4 weeks ago showed that my TSH was at 1.24 (range 0.4 - 5) and T4 at 15 (range 9-19). Since December, I've been on a low dose of Carbi of 5mg and all my blood tests have always showns the same T4 and TSH since December.

I have been taken iron for the past 2 months to increase my level of Ferritin which was too low. I started to develop restlessness about a week ago. I have not other symptoms of hyperthyroidism at the moment, my resting heart rate is at 58.

I'm having a FTF + Ferritin blood test tomorrow but did someone experience restelessness because of an excess of iron? I take Ferrograd without vitamine C.

Thanks a lot!

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Nathalie70
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13 Replies
Moggie profile image
Moggie

Take a look at this link and judge for yourself if the symptoms match, the way I read it its the opposite.

anapsid.org/cnd/diffdx/iron...

Moggie x

Nathalie70 profile image
Nathalie70

Thanks a lot Moggie for the link but I found another one telling that excess iron could increase adrenal activity, hence my question.

netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fa...

Other rare symptoms: endocrine gland problems particularly with pituitary, thyroid or sex hormones can occur, as can skin and neurological disease.

Nathalie x

Moggie profile image
Moggie

How much iron have you been taking Nat? and was this given to you by your GP? I ask because I have had FTF and iron test bloods done today. I have been taking 200mcg's iron supplements, given to me by my GP on endo's suggestion, for a month.

Moggie x

in reply to Moggie

Moggie - see reply below... :-)

xx

Nathalie70 profile image
Nathalie70

350MG per day for a month and half, simply because my thinning hair. I was supposed to take it for 2 months but I stopped last Staudray.

When my Ferritin was tested, I was in the low range but still normal. I was not suffering from any symptoms of iron lack. I was very fit, now I can't sleep because of the restlessness.

Let's share our FTF and iron test results, mine is tomorrow.

Are you hyper too?

Nathalie x

in reply to Nathalie70

Just a pointer, if you want to reply to someone in particular, you have to make sure to click on 'reply to this' otherwise they will not get an email letting them know that you have responded.

Louise

x :-)

Moggie profile image
Moggie in reply to

Sorry Louise but have I messed up somewhere along the line? Have I been forgetting to use the "reply to this" button?

Moggie x

LouiseRoberts profile image
LouiseRoberts in reply to Moggie

yeah. :-) xxx Doesn't matter - might just mean that things get missed. :-) xxx

Moggie profile image
Moggie in reply to LouiseRoberts

Sorry Louise but I didn't think you needed to use the reply to this button when you was answering someone on their own questions as I thought that they automatically got email alerts. I never have before - have things changed?

Moggie x

LouiseRoberts profile image
LouiseRoberts in reply to Moggie

oh sorry Moggie! lol! I was telling Nat that she needed to 'reply', got my wires crossed! Sorry to confuse matters! lol! ;-)

xx

Moggie profile image
Moggie in reply to LouiseRoberts

You had me scratching my head for a minute there wondering if I had been using the site wrong for the last year and a half.

Thanks for clearing it up.

Moggie x

Moggie profile image
Moggie in reply to Nathalie70

Hi Nat,

Sorry for delay only I don't have internet access at home, only at work.

No I am hypo but very unstable at the moment due to being taken off T3 because of heart issues - racing, pounding and missing beats. Had an operation cancelled as anesthetist did not want to put me under anaesthetic because of my unstable condition so was sent to endo who has been doing loads of tests as he "doesn't think it is all thyroid related" - I do think it is all thyroid related so we'll just see who's right.

First lot of tests came back as low VitD (this is the second time) and was again put on 50,000iu VitD daily and low iron and was put on 200mcg's iron supplements. Also have had adrenal tests done (which is where I think the real issue is) and awaiting those results. Got a heart scan next week and whilst I have been typing this to you I have received a call from gyna consultant (my op is to remove an ovarian cyst and ovary) to cancel my re-scheduled op on next Friday (19th) - so all in all a bit of a mess really.

Will definitely compare results with you when you get them. I get mine tomorrow so let me know when you have yours.

Moggie x

Nathalie70 profile image
Nathalie70

Hi Moggie,

Sorry for the delay, I was swamped at work. I'm sorry your situation is so complex and messy. My worst fear is that Carbimazole fails and I have to be put in hypo for life. But I had good results yesterday, my T4 has been stable since November at 15 - range 9-19 - and my TSH is now at 2.2 instead of 1.2 4 weeks ago. Only 20 to 30% of patients get cured with drug treatment, the treatment of choice is RAI and becoming hypo.

I'm glad as with what is called the maintenance dose, 5mg - the lowest possible - my TSH is increasing strongly. My endo cannot guarantee anything of course but he thinks I could be in the 20-30% or stay on a very low dose 2.5mg for years.

The restlessness came from the excess of Iron. I started to manage to sleep better a couple of nights ago.

Nathalie XXX

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