Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I know this is basic information and probably on these boards all over the place, but I would like a quick reminder of what the 3 or 4 components are that doctors want to see in a blood test for RLS. My rheumatologist has had me tested before, but since it's not his specialty, there have been errors. For one thing, I wasn't fasting last time, plus I had come down with a stomach problem which threw the ferritin level way off.

If you know offhand which RLS.org publication would have details on the blood tests, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

In trying to find it online, is it that I want a complete Iron Panel (IRON, TRANSFERRIN, TIBC and % SATURATION) PLUS Ferritin?

is it that I want a complete Iron Panel (IRON, TRANSFERRIN, TIBC and % SATURATION) PLUS Ferritin?

Yes, that is what you want. Basically, it an full iron panel PLUS ferritin.

Sorry this is late, but in case it comes up in future searches,

You want a complete Iron Panel (IRON, TRANSFERRIN, TIBC and % SATURATION)
plus a 12-hour fasting Ferritin.

And don't take iron pills the night before the test! I've also heard it said not to take iron pills for the 3 days before the test.

I don't know if it's a bad idea to reply to this old thread, but here goes. It's a year later and I haven't had much trouble with RLS since my iron infusions in 2020. But I've had a few nights of kicking that could be more due to harder-than-usual exercise. If I'm really anxious about something, it also seems I have a bad night with my legs, but this isn't very often.

Last week got my GP to order an iron panel with ferritin. He would never order iron infusions with a "normal" ferritin level, but I see my rheumatologist tomorrow who WOULD order iron infusions if I gave him a sufficient reason for it (he actually reads the literature from RLG.org). But I'm not sure these current results would convince him:

Iron: 126
TIBC: 355
% Sat: 36
Ferritin: 275

My ferritin was 50 in 2020. Then probably in 2021 it was 550 or so--but it turned out I was sick and didn't know it yet. Anyway, what do you all think? Not low enough to ask for infusions?

Thanks!