Guest guest Posted February 25, 1999 Report Share Posted February 25, 1999 In a message dated 2/26/99 4:43:35 AM !!!First Boot!!!, diane97@... writes: << I just had my ferrintin level checked and it was 12 which is low so now what? My doctor wants to run a series of tests to determine if I am anemic. I don't feel tired and draggy( only after a terrible RLS attack) so I don't think I am anemic >> Your ferritin and/or serum iron levels can be low and/or low normal range and you are not necessarily anemic. The symptoms of feeling tired and draggy are not reliable in the diagnosis of anemia. Some of the earliest studies of RLS noted a correlation between iron deficiency anemia and RLS. Recent studies have shown a nice correlation between serum ferritin levels (even if within normal limits per your local lab) and RLS symptoms. Anemia needs to be thoroughly evaluated before you start treating it with iron. Iron can hurt you, especially older guys. Your primary care provider should be more than able to adequately evaluate anemia (CBC with dif, reticulocyte count, serum iron levels, serum ferritin, etc.) and monitor your treatment with iron supplements. RAINBOWPED@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 1999 Report Share Posted February 25, 1999 In a message dated 2/26/99 4:43:35 AM !!!First Boot!!!, diane97@... writes: << I just had my ferrintin level checked and it was 12 which is low so now what? My doctor wants to run a series of tests to determine if I am anemic. I don't feel tired and draggy( only after a terrible RLS attack) so I don't think I am anemic >> Your ferritin and/or serum iron levels can be low and/or low normal range and you are not necessarily anemic. The symptoms of feeling tired and draggy are not reliable in the diagnosis of anemia. Some of the earliest studies of RLS noted a correlation between iron deficiency anemia and RLS. Recent studies have shown a nice correlation between serum ferritin levels (even if within normal limits per your local lab) and RLS symptoms. Anemia needs to be thoroughly evaluated before you start treating it with iron. Iron can hurt you, especially older guys. Your primary care provider should be more than able to adequately evaluate anemia (CBC with dif, reticulocyte count, serum iron levels, serum ferritin, etc.) and monitor your treatment with iron supplements. RAINBOWPED@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 1999 Report Share Posted February 25, 1999 Hi, I just had my ferrintin level checked and it was 12 which is low so now what? My doctor wants to run a series of tests to determine if I am anemic. I don't feel tired and draggy( only after a terrible RLS attack) so I don't think I am anemic. What causes a lot of us to have low ferritin levels? I wish we had a doctor on line still to answer these questions. Do I just take an iron supplement or what? I go to a family doctor and he is willing to work with me but he is not an expert in this field and I don't think he knows where to go from here. If anyone has any information on the subject or Dr.Elaty's e-mail address I would greatly appreciate it. I have really learned alot from this group.Let's keep getting good informative information and maybe we can get this beast under control. I am going to a local support group this Saturday so maybe there will be a doctor there to answer some of my questions. Diane,Richmond,VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 1999 Report Share Posted February 26, 1999 In a message dated 2/26/99 2:16:36 PM !!!First Boot!!!, jrobbins@... writes: << Didn't that study say that those of us with RLS seem to need a ferritin level of 50????? >> Yes and it also showed that as the ferritin level increased above 50 to 75, there was a nice correlation in relief of RLS symptoms even though a ferritin level of 50 is considered normal by many local labs. Just goes to show that even if your lab values are " normal " that does not mean that is not the problem and/or part of the solution to your problem. RAINBOWPED@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 1999 Report Share Posted February 26, 1999 In a message dated 2/26/99 2:16:36 PM !!!First Boot!!!, jrobbins@... writes: << Didn't that study say that those of us with RLS seem to need a ferritin level of 50????? >> Yes and it also showed that as the ferritin level increased above 50 to 75, there was a nice correlation in relief of RLS symptoms even though a ferritin level of 50 is considered normal by many local labs. Just goes to show that even if your lab values are " normal " that does not mean that is not the problem and/or part of the solution to your problem. RAINBOWPED@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 1999 Report Share Posted February 26, 1999 Didn't that study say that those of us with RLS seem to need a ferritin level of 50????? Cheers! Jeanne and Mr. Biggles in Poultney VT Where the sun shines bright and the temp is almost 20!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.