Ferritin testing

[SleepyBhamster]

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!

[SleepyBhamster]

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

[Rustsmith]

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.

[badnights]

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.

[SleepyBhamster]

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!