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ferratin

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:13 pm
by peanut1
I have struggled with severe RLS for the past 5 years and some version of RLS my whole life. I tried everything and have been slowly getting my ferratin level up to 70. I started eating organ meat every day, along with bloodbuilder 3X per day, and started sleeping regularly with NO herbs and NO meds! The ferratin level got up to 110. The bad news is that my cholesterol went way over the top and the doctor (not neurologist) wants me to cut down on the organ meat. I'm thinking I would rather do a cholesterol pill, but am not sure of those side effects either. Prior to all this I thought it was the PTSD that was kicking my butt, but no (although when that kicks in I do have to take meds) it was the iron level. Things you all have been saying here since day 1. So the bottom line is: there is hope! I would like to know how the others got their ferratin level at 100 without eating organ meat every day. My docs will NOT give me an iron infusion. Feedback appreciated!

Re: ferratin

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:21 pm
by Rustsmith
Peanut, I take 325 mg of iron sulfate with a Vitamin C tablet on an empty stomach. The vitamin C is necessary to keep your stomach acidic to maximize iron adsorption. I started out taking the pills 3x/day to get my ferritin levels up quickly. Now I do it once a day for maintenance. I went from 40 to about 350 and now hold between 150 and 225.

However, this does not work for everyone and it can cause stomach upsets.

I should also add that I eat several hands full of pumpkin seeds each day. I do it because I like them, but they are also a good source of iron.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:12 am
by CarlaB
As someone with severe RLS who finally had her ferritin level checked (previous doctors would only do a CBC and say I wasn't anemic) and found they were indeed low, I am crossing my fingers that iron therapy will help my symptoms. Thank you, Peanut, for the encouragement. Good luck with eating other foods besides organ meats. Besides pumpkin seeds, I hear chickpeas and soybeans are good iron foods, in addition to spinach.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 4:54 am
by ViewsAskew
peanut - did you try any OTC iron supplements, yet? As Steve said, it may do it alone. Here are few things I have bookmarked. You may already know all of it - maybe it will help. One of the most important, I think, is to find ways not to reduce iron and to ensure what you do take can be uptaken.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/bl ... -your-iron

http://www.webmd.com/diet/iron-rich-foods#1

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/raise-i ... -4850.html

Re: ferratin

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 2:13 pm
by peanut1
Ann,

Excellent information--thank you! Looks like I need to revise my diet a little. I'm on a paleo diet, but most of the stuff in the articles I can eat.

Rustsmith,
Thank you for the information on pumpkin seeds. I take bloodbuilder which is a food based iron 3x daily. I do not take it with vitamin C, but I can start.
What type of iron are you taking i.e. what is the label on the box? I was told regular iron is not good for absorption, but it sounds like it's working for you. You have your ferratin up to 225? Whew--I'm impressed!

Carla,

I would be surprised if increasing your iron didn't help. Please let us know how it goes. I'm really excited to know that something really works here.


Everyone,
I noticed that when I eat beef hearts a few times a week, I sleep like a baby. Ordering it is another issue.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 3:08 pm
by Rustsmith
Peanut, the bottle says "Iron, 65 mg, Equivalent to 325 mg Ferrous Sulfate"

Whoever told you that regular iron is not good for adsorption is partly correct. That is the reason why you need to take it with something acidic and on an empty stomach. If it is competing with food for adsorption, it will lose out.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 4:22 am
by peanut1
Steve,

Thank YOU! I didn't know that I needed to take iron by itself. I know it's not good to take with calcium. Would iron with orange juice be okay or would that interfere with the absorption?

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 4:22 am
by peanut1
Sounds like it would interfere and vitamin c is the best way to go.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 4:44 am
by ViewsAskew
Most sites recommend using juice, specifically OJ. I don't think it would interfere.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:13 am
by Rustsmith
One other caveat that I have run into with taking iron supplements. Do not take them at the same time that you are taking a thyroid medication. Both need to be taken on an empty stomach, but they are supposed to interfere with each other so that you don't get the benefits from either pill. Before I found that out I was taking them together for convenience. I found that I was still getting some iron, but my minimal dose of L-thyroxine was not getting adsorbed.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:24 pm
by peanut1
Ann,
Thanks for the info on the OJ!

Steve,
And thank you for the information about not taking it with thyroid.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:33 pm
by 67java89
I've just started taking Gentle Iron on an empty stomach before I get up. Does anyone know how long it takes to build up your ferratin levels?

Re: ferratin

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:41 pm
by Rustsmith
It can be a number of weeks before you see a substantial improvement when taking oral iron.

Re: ferratin

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 4:10 pm
by 67java89
Thanks! I thought that might be the case. I can't remember what my numbers were last time but they were considered low

Re: ferratin

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:47 pm
by CarlaB
2 weeks of iron therapy- taking the Walgreen's iron sulfate along with vitamin C tablet. May be coincidence, but I had my first symptom free night in well over a year. That's the good news. The bad is that stomach issues with taking iron is now happening. Any advice? Is there a way to take iron sulfate that is easier on the stomach? Obviously, iron by IV is a last ditch resort, would rather control this myself with OTC iron therapy. Thanks for any help.