Low Iron and Ferritin levels

**2Sox** · 04-26-2014, 09:40 PM

Just got back my blood work with the following extremely low readings:

Ferritin 9mg/mL Range: 22-322

Iron 19 ug/dL Range: 65-175

This is very alarming to say the least.
Any insight into the possible cause or causes of this would be greatly appreciated.

**BallSak** · 04-26-2014, 11:48 PM

Donating blood will lower iron over time. Do you take a multi vitamin that contains iron? Or supplement in anyway?

**2Sox** · 04-27-2014, 06:45 AM

Going to the pharmacy to get medical grade iron.

I've been meaning to visit with a gastroenterologist for a complete exam and to address the issue of excessive gut motility. I'm thinking this may be the source of my problem. Poor nutrient absorption.

**ANIMAL** · 04-27-2014, 08:44 AM

I'm in the same boat as you. Started supplementing an iron pill and it has not done anything. I'm going back to the dr to get my levels checked again and to see what he suggests.

**kelkel** · 04-27-2014, 10:25 AM

Sox are you taking any other meds that can effect iron levels? Maybe acid reflux meds, etc?
If you take elemental iron take it with vitamin C for better absorption.

**2Sox** · 04-27-2014, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Sox are you taking any other meds that can effect iron levels? Maybe acid reflux meds, etc?
If you take elemental iron take it with vitamin C for better absorption.

Thanks for the advice about C and Fe together, Kel. No meds like that, aside from the occasional Tums.
I've suspected for quite some time that I have IBS. Already cut out wheat and dairy - aside from yogurt, everyday - which I love and doesn't bother me at all. But I just read that soy is a big irritant for IBS and I've made a breakfast cereal of soy milk, rice and honey everyday. Well, after I read about soy, no more of that. I'm going to substitute almond milk.

**2Sox** · 04-27-2014, 11:14 AM

A P.S. to the above. These low Fe and Ferritin levels appeared on the same lab report on which I had extremely elevated liver enzymes:

ALT 62 Range:<34 U/L
AST 41 Range: 0.2-2.0 mg/dL

The only thing I did different was to take a liquid exemestane - from a UGL - just before the blood was drawn; only 3 doses of 6.25mg each. It gave me extreme gastric pain and gas so I stopped when I realized it was the liquid and not something I ate!

I wonder if there is some sort of a connection here.

**thisAngelBites** · 04-27-2014, 11:16 AM

I struggle with retaining iron, and I find heme iron works the best for me without causing constipation, and it has higher bio-availability than non-heme. People also seem to love Floradix for iron supplementation (if you google around, you will see lots of raves for this product, and again, without constipation).

Lastly, if you are not a vegetarian, it can be very helpful to drink the accumulated juices after cooking steaks or roasts. A chemist friend told me that the juices carry lots of iron that is quite bio-available and to be sure to drink them up, and I think it helps me (altho it is hard to measure that).

**kelkel** · 04-27-2014, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by 2Sox

A P.S. to the above. These low Fe and Ferritin levels appeared on the same lab report on which I had extremely elevated liver enzymes:

ALT 62 Range:<34 U/L
AST 41 Range: 0.2-2.0 mg/dL

The only thing I did different was to take a liquid exemestane - from a UGL - just before the blood was drawn; only 3 doses of 6.25mg each. It gave me extreme gastric pain and gas so I stopped when I realized it was the liquid and not something I ate!

I wonder if there is some sort of a connection here.

It can effect liver values but it's usually minutely. I'm sure it will return to normal quickly, but in the mean time consider taking NAC. It will help with your liver and many other things as well. Very healthy item to take on a daily basis.

**2Sox** · 04-27-2014, 04:46 PM

NAC? I'll consider that. Doing some reading on it now.

**2Sox** · 04-27-2014, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by thisAngelBites

I struggle with retaining iron, and I find heme iron works the best for me without causing constipation, and it has higher bio-availability than non-heme. People also seem to love Floradix for iron supplementation (if you google around, you will see lots of raves for this product, and again, without constipation).

Lastly, if you are not a vegetarian, it can be very helpful to drink the accumulated juices after cooking steaks or roasts. A chemist friend told me that the juices carry lots of iron that is quite bio-available and to be sure to drink them up, and I think it helps me (altho it is hard to measure that).

Thanks. I'll look into this.