ferratin

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peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

ferratin

Post 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!

Rustsmith
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Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: ferratin

Post 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.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

CarlaB
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:56 pm

Re: ferratin

Post 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.

ViewsAskew
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Location: Los Angeles

Re: ferratin

Post 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
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: ferratin

Post 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.

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6466
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: ferratin

Post 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.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: ferratin

Post 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?

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: ferratin

Post by peanut1 »

Sounds like it would interfere and vitamin c is the best way to go.

ViewsAskew
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Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: ferratin

Post by ViewsAskew »

Most sites recommend using juice, specifically OJ. I don't think it would interfere.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6466
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: ferratin

Post 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.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: ferratin

Post by peanut1 »

Ann,
Thanks for the info on the OJ!

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

67java89
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:35 pm

Re: ferratin

Post 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?
Sleep is a basic need.

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6466
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: ferratin

Post by Rustsmith »

It can be a number of weeks before you see a substantial improvement when taking oral iron.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

67java89
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:35 pm

Re: ferratin

Post 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
Sleep is a basic need.

CarlaB
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:56 pm

Re: ferratin

Post 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.

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