Warning for Men on TRT: Low Ferritin is Bad

[RN2PA0611]

Thought I'd share my recent ferritin numbers. No donations or iron supplementation during this period.
1/10/2023 - 150mg Test Cyp Weekly (MWF) - Ferritin 16
3/1/2023 - End of Enclomiphene (No Test) - Ferritin 102
3/30/2023 - 84mg Test Cyp Weekly (daily shots) - Ferritin 26
Crazy how quickly ferritin recovered once testosterone was stopped and then how quickly it dropped back after resuming testosterone. 16 to 102 just by stopping testosterone injections, then 102 to 26 with no change except starting testosterone injections, all within 3 months.

I experience this same problem. Ferritin drops like a rock almost instantly. Joined this forum because I've been searching for answers to my symptoms. Can't stay on TRT for more than a month or two because I end up feeling horrible.

 

[Vince]

I experience this same problem. Ferritin drops like a rock almost instantly. Joined this forum because I've been searching for answers to my symptoms. Can't stay on TRT for more than a month or two because I end up feeling horrible.

Have you ever had your magnesium levels checked. I keep my in the high range.

Magnesium is known to play a role in iron metabolism, including the absorption, transport, and utilization of iron. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to impaired iron absorption and utilization, potentially affecting ferritin levels.

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Does Magnesium Affect Ferritin Levels? Exploring the Relationship - Statcare​

 

[RN2PA0611]

My understanding is that Ferritin is a carrier for iron, but the amount of iron it is actually bound to can vary dramatically, and TIBC is a much more accurate market for iron itself. Therefore low ferritin does not actually mean low iron. Low iron would be very unlikely in men eating beef and liver, with the exception of endurance runners who apparently excrete iron due to red blood cell damage. For everyone else there is no mechanism other that blood loss or chelation to remove iron. I haven't looked into this in great detail, but when I had a low ferritin reading my TIBC was fine, and I am much more concerned about avoiding iron overload that being low in iron, since low iron for me would be very unlikely but high iron could be a risk.

Ferritin levels do fluctuate, and it is an acute phase reactant, meaning it can also spike due to things like infection, inflammation, etc. However, ferritin is the most specific lab for assessing iron stores.
You're right that most men do not experience iron deficiency, but it is common to men on testosterone therapy. Again, ferritin levels indicate iron status, not serum iron. What us TRT users experience is depletion of stored iron due to activation of EPO secondary to exogenous testosterone supplementation. So, you'll have enough iron-bound to hemoglobin but your iron stores can be deficient.

 

[RN2PA0611]

Have you ever had your magnesium levels checked. I keep my in the high range.

Magnesium is known to play a role in iron metabolism, including the absorption, transport, and utilization of iron. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to impaired iron absorption and utilization, potentially affecting ferritin levels.
View attachment 40615
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Does Magnesium Affect Ferritin Levels? Exploring the Relationship - Statcare​

No, but that's an excellent point and I'll request it. I think my personal experience is a combination of two things: overdonating blood, due to the online TRT company that I was using urging me to donate frequently even though I never had elevated h&h levels AND now possible inflammatory bowel disease, which can hinder vitamin and mineral uptake. It's extremely frustrating to have good numbers on paper but feel like absolute dog shit.

 

[RN2PA0611]

hey @FDV70

Any thoughts on my results in

Iron/Ferritin Issues

Hi all, for the last year or so ive been having issues related to iron. THis started by me having 4 phlebotomies over the space of a few months to reduce my haemocrit down from 56% Since then Id been getting symptons of low ferritin like brain fog, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and in...

www.excelmale.com

I’ve been following your protocol on and off over the last year and often for runs longer than a week . Sometimes a couple of weeks at a time.

As you can see my ferritin level is great (200+)
(It was 15 in September 2022 when I first had a blood test) . It’s my other results I don’t know what to make of.


Thanks

Can you please tell me how often you ran the Vorck protocol to get from 15 to 200? I've tried it a couple times with a moderate increase but my levels don't stay long. Thanks in advance.

 

[Weasel]

Have we ever figured out why TRT drives ferritin down?

 

[Systemlord]

Have we ever figured out why TRT drives ferritin down?

TRT increases EPO which increased erythroferrone, lowering hepcidin and ferroportin lets iron release from hepatocytes and therefore ferritin doesn't rise.

 

[Vince]

Effect of Testosterone on Hepcidin, Ferroportin, Ferritin and Iron Binding Capacity in Patients with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Type 2 Diabetes

Since the syndrome of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is associated with anemia and the administration of testosterone restores hematocrit to normal, we investigated the potential underlying mechanisms.Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trialWe ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Weasel]

In theory, Lowering TRT dose should also lower EPO?

 

[Systemlord]

In theory, Lowering TRT dose should also lower EPO?

Maybe, maybe not, no way to know the thresholds for a particular individual.

 

[Gman86]

No, but that's an excellent point and I'll request it. I think my personal experience is a combination of two things: overdonating blood, due to the online TRT company that I was using urging me to donate frequently even though I never had elevated h&h levels AND now possible inflammatory bowel disease, which can hinder vitamin and mineral uptake. It's extremely frustrating to have good numbers on paper but feel like absolute dog shit.

good thing is those issues have extremely simple solutions. Stop donating blood, and try to eat as close to carnivore as u can. Full carnivore will clear that bowel inflammation within a week, but getting close to that should also clear it up in a relatively short amount of time

 

[Weasel]

Iron Toxicity Post #55: Ferritin is NOTHING, Hemosiderin is EVERYTHING! - The Root Cause Protocol

Ferritin in the serum is a sign of tissue pathophysiology. Without the ceruloplasmin ferroxidase enzyme, iron doesn't load properly into ferritin. So it gets damaged and takes on the properties of hemosiderin where iron is stored and doesn't come out.

therootcauseprotocol.com

Found this in another post here. Thoughts?

 

[magnus68]

Have you ever had your magnesium levels checked. I keep my in the high range.

Magnesium is known to play a role in iron metabolism, including the absorption, transport, and utilization of iron. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to impaired iron absorption and utilization, potentially affecting ferritin levels.
View attachment 40615
Home › info › d...

Does Magnesium Affect Ferritin Levels? Exploring the Relationship - Statcare​

Wich Type of MAG is best?

 

[Vince]

Wich Type of MAG is best?

I use source naturals magnesium malate. I believe liquid magnesium is better absorbed. I know a few men that use liquid magnesium and usually their levels go above range and they have to cut back.

Same thing happened to my 90-year-old mother when she used liquid magnesium. Her levels went over range and her doctor made her cut back.