Re: Iron and TIBC

November 11, 2004

yes, you are low and that is a major issue you are dealing with. It appears that

very few people up till now understood the ferritin and autoimmune thyroid

disease together. What they taught 5 years ago is all not applicable now.

Re: Re: Iron and TIBC

In a message dated 12/9/2004 3:47:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jamyrogers@... writes:

> what was your ferritin level that was considered ok. It should be between

> 75

> and 90 for the best ramge.

>

My ferritin was 34. The lab range was 10 - 291.

Cindi

December 4, 2004

Okay ladies...when I was at the doctor's last week, I asked to have ferritin

checked because I still have FATIGUE. So they call and told me everything was

NORMAL....and I asked that they send a copy. Here are the results...and

whoever is the Ferritin/iron expert (janie?) please give me some info on this.

Iron Binding Cap. (TIBD) 221 Low (250-450)

UIBC 120 Low (150-375)

Iron, Serum 101 (35 - 155)

Iron Saturation 46 (15 - 55)

Ferritin, Serum 34 (10 - 291)

Thanks!

Cindi

December 4, 2004

Okay ladies...when I was at the doctor's last week, I asked to have ferritin

checked because I still have FATIGUE. So they call and told me everything was

NORMAL....and I asked that they send a copy. Here are the results...and

whoever is the Ferritin/iron expert (janie?) please give me some info on this.

Iron Binding Cap. (TIBD) 221 Low (250-450)

UIBC 120 Low (150-375)

Iron, Serum 101 (35 - 155)

Iron Saturation 46 (15 - 55)

Ferritin, Serum 34 (10 - 291)

Thanks!

Cindi

December 4, 2004

Okay ladies...when I was at the doctor's last week, I asked to have ferritin

checked because I still have FATIGUE. So they call and told me everything was

NORMAL....and I asked that they send a copy. Here are the results...and

whoever is the Ferritin/iron expert (janie?) please give me some info on this.

Iron Binding Cap. (TIBD) 221 Low (250-450)

UIBC 120 Low (150-375)

Iron, Serum 101 (35 - 155)

Iron Saturation 46 (15 - 55)

Ferritin, Serum 34 (10 - 291)

Thanks!

Cindi

December 4, 2004

In a message dated 12/4/2004 4:09:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

lyn.worth@... writes:

> seems to me that just because it is within range they are saying it's

> normal. It's a big range and yours is at the lower end. so I wouldn't class

that

> as being normal

>

yea...but what got me is the TIBC and UIBC being low...and them still saying

all the labs were normal. those are indicators of other types of anemia as

well as autoimmune liver problems. i do not like doctors at all. i think you

have to be dying before they do anything.

cindi

December 4, 2004

seems to me that just because it is within range they are saying it's normal.

It's a big range and yours is at the lower end. so I wouldn't class that as

being normal

Lynda (in the UK)

Re: Iron and TIBC

Okay ladies...when I was at the doctor's last week, I asked to have ferritin

checked because I still have FATIGUE. So they call and told me everything was

NORMAL....and I asked that they send a copy. Here are the results...and

whoever is the Ferritin/iron expert (janie?) please give me some info on this.

Iron Binding Cap. (TIBD) 221 Low (250-450)

UIBC 120 Low (150-375)

Iron, Serum 101 (35 - 155)

Iron Saturation 46 (15 - 55)

Ferritin, Serum 34 (10 - 291)

Thanks!

Cindi

December 5, 2004

In a message dated 12/5/2004 12:14:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alison.ashwell@... writes:

> what were the Hb, red cell indices [cbc/fbc]. ?

> A low TIBc/low iron and low or normal ferritin suggests anaemia of

> chronic disorders -ie the anaemia that goes along with thyroid

> problems/arthritis/lupus/kidney problems etc etc etc - however the

> ferritin is suggesting lowered iron stores so it is probably worthwhile

> taking vitamin c with food to aid absorption of iron and/or a short

> course of iron tablets

>

Hemoglobin was 14.7 (11.5 - 15.0). RBC was 4.82 (3.8 - 5.10).

I researched and did find out that the TIBC indicates the anemias, as wall as

malnutrition (malaborption/leaky gut perhaps?) as well as liver disease

(which I have been concerned about because of itching and fatty stools).

And if you have liver disease, I'm not sure about taking iron right now.

But - Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron? I didn't know that. Thanks.

Cindi

December 5, 2004

In a message dated 12/5/2004 12:14:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jamyrogers@... writes:

> Do

> you ever feel out of breath????

>

this has been a major problem for me.

cindi

December 5, 2004

In a message dated 12/5/2004 12:32:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jamyrogers@... writes:

> You need to be taking 325 mg of ferrous sulfate 2x a day, but not until you

>

> have your folic and b-12 checked

Thanks for this info. I will follow up right away on this.

Cindi

December 5, 2004

nc2406@... wrote:

>In a message dated 12/5

>

>But - Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron? I didn't know that. Thanks.

>

Yes it aids iron uptake and also helps the adrenals

--

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted/alisonashwell

December 5, 2004

You need to be taking 325 mg of ferrous sulfate 2x a day, but not until you

have your folic and b-12 checked. I will bet that you have low folic acid

like and I do. Your tissues are not getting enogh oxygen and I will bet

that was an issue for your mom too. It feels like you are very hypo, also

keeps the body from properly utilizing the thyroid meds you take. The liver

is a catch 22 thing. Low ferritin causes issues, but I am pretty sure if you

stop all flour products and go on folic acid, things will straighten out. It

is IMPORTANT that you haver the folic and b-12 tested. large amounts of b-12

scews the folic acid test. Large doses of folic acid when not needed are not

good. I was taking 10 mg a day to bring mine up. My results were very low.

The MDR is 400 mcg.

>From: nc2406@...

>Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>Subject: Re: Iron and TIBC

>Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 12:21:05 EST

>

December 5, 2004

I am fat so no one looked at this for me. When they did and ran the tests

over and over again for the low transferrin, low ferritin, low aldosterone

and low, VERY low folic acid, they were shocked. One size fits all on

anything needs to be ignored and symptoms looked at.

Folic acid deficiency anemia

Maureen Haggerty

Definition

Folic acid deficiency, an abnormally low level of one of the B vitamins,

results in anemia characterized by red blood cells that are large in size

but few in number.

Description

Folic acid is necessary for growth and cellular repair, since it is a

critical component of DNA and RNA as well as essential for the formation and

maturation of red blood cells. Folic acid deficiency is one of the most

common of all vitamin deficiencies. Although it occurs in both males and

females, folic acid deficiency anemia most often affects women over 30. It

becomes increasingly common as age impedes the body's ability to absorb

folic acid, a water-soluble vitamin that is manufactured by intestinal

bacteria and stored for a short time in the liver. Folic acid deficiency has

also been implicated as a cause of neural tube defects in the developing

fetus. Recent research has shown that adequate amounts of folic acid can

prevent up to half of these birth defects, if women start taking folic acid

supplements shortly before conception.

A healthy adult needs at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Requirements

at least double during pregnancy, and increase by 50% when a woman is

breastfeeding. The average American diet, high in fats, sugar, and white

flour, provides about 200 mcg of folic acid, approximately the amount needed

to maintain tissue stores of the substance for six to nine months before a

deficiency develops. Most of the folic acid in foods (with the exception of

the folic acid added to enriched flour and breakfast cereals) occurs as

folate. Folate is only about half as available for the body to use as is the

folic acid in pills and supplements. Folate also is easily destroyed by

sunlight, overcooking, or the storing of foods at room temperature for an

extended period of time.

Good dietary sources of folate include:

leafy green vegetables

liver

mushrooms

oatmeal

peanut butter

red beans

soy

wheat germ

Causes and symptoms

This condition usually results from a diet lacking in foods with high folic

acid content, or from the body's inability to digest foods or absorb foods

having high folic acid content. Other factors that increase the risk of

developing folic acid deficiency anemia are:

age

alcoholism

birth-control pills, anticonvulsant therapy, sulfa antibiotics, and certain

other medications

illness

smoking

stress

Fatigue is often the first sign of folic acid deficiency anemia. Other

symptoms include:

anorexia nervosa

pale skin

paranoia

rapid heart beat

sore, inflamed tongue

weakness

weight loss

Diagnosis

Diagnostic procedures include blood tests to measure hemoglobin, an

iron-containing compound that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body.

Symptoms may be reevaluated after the patient has taken prescription folic

acid supplements.

Treatment

Folic acid supplements are usually prescribed, and self-care includes

avoiding:

alcohol

non-herbal tea, antacids, and phosphates (contained in beer, ice cream, and

soft drinks), which restrict iron absorption

tobacco

A person with folic acid deficiency anemia should rest as often as necessary

until restored energy levels make it possible to resume regular activities.

A doctor should be seen if fever, chills, muscle aches, or new symptoms

develop during treatment, or if symptoms do not improve after two weeks of

treatment.

Alternative treatment

Alternative therapies for folic acid deficiency anemia may include

reflexology concentrated on areas that influence the liver and spleen.

Increasing consumption of foods high in folate is helpful. Eating a mixture

of yogurt (8 oz) and turmeric (1 tsp) also may help resolve symptoms. A

physician should be contacted if the tongue becomes slick or smooth or the

patient:

bruises or tires easily

feels ill for more than five days

feels weak or out of breath

looks pale or jaundiced

Prognosis

Although adequate folic acid intake usually cures this condition in about

three weeks, folic acid deficiency anemia can make patients infertile or

more susceptible to infection. Severe deficiencies can result in congestive

heart failure.

Prevention

Eating raw or lightly cooked vegetables every day will help maintain normal

folic acid levels, as will taking a folic acid supplement containing at

least 400 mcg of this vitamin. Because folic acid deficiency can cause birth

defects, all women of childbearing age who can become pregnant should

consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily; a woman who is pregnant should

have regular medical checkups, and take a good prenatal vitamin.

>From: nc2406@...

>Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>Subject: Re: Iron and TIBC

>Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 12:34:13 EST

>

December 6, 2004

In a message dated 12/6/2004 10:11:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,

kguynn@... writes:

> would take iron, but make sure you do it about 12 hours after your

> hypoT meds. Iron and BC pills interfer with the Thyroid meds. I take

> 28mg of iron everyday

kate,

thanks for the info.

hey - isn't Geritol iron? i always did think i needed that stuff.

cindi

December 6, 2004

In a message dated 12/6/2004 10:11:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,

kguynn@... writes:

> would take iron, but make sure you do it about 12 hours after your

> hypoT meds. Iron and BC pills interfer with the Thyroid meds. I take

> 28mg of iron everyday

kate,

thanks for the info.

hey - isn't Geritol iron? i always did think i needed that stuff.

cindi

December 6, 2004

I would take iron, but make sure you do it about 12 hours after your

hypoT meds. Iron and BC pills interfer with the Thyroid meds. I take

28mg of iron everyday. It takes over 30 days for your stores to fill

up. If you donate blood (I do) it starts depleating those stores. We

already have a harder time storing the iron. So if you stay on 28mg,

you should be doing well. Oh, also don't try to double it...the body

spits out what it can't use. I did see a slow release that is 50mg, I

wonder if it would work, but I haven't had time to reasearch it. I

might interfere with the Thyroid meds.

Kate

>

> >>

> >>Iron Binding Cap. (TIBD) 221 Low (250-450)

> >>UIBC 120 Low (150-375)

> >>Iron, Serum 101 (35 - 155)

> >>Iron Saturation 46 (15 - 55)

> >>Ferritin, Serum 34 (10 - 291)

> >>

> >

> what were the Hb, red cell indices [cbc/fbc]. ?

> A low TIBc/low iron and low or normal ferritin suggests anaemia of

> chronic disorders -ie the anaemia that goes along with thyroid

> problems/arthritis/lupus/kidney problems etc etc etc - however the

> ferritin is suggesting lowered iron stores so it is probably worthwhile

> taking vitamin c with food to aid absorption of iron and/or a short

> course of iron tablets

>

> --

> Alison

> http://www.alisonashwell.com

> new work uploaded

> http://www.artwanted/alisonashwell

December 6, 2004